The Storm’s post–Sue Bird era is officially underway, with the veteran’s partner-in-crime, Breanna Stewart, announcing her exit from Seattle in a massive blow to the team.
Stewart signed a one-year supermax deal in 2022 for Bird’s swan song as Seattle bulked up for the legendary guard’s send-off season, leaving her long-term future with the franchise up in the air. Fast forward to this year’s WNBA free agency, and the 2018 league MVP was courted by a series of teams, with Stewart narrowing down the decision to the Storm and the Liberty. After a suspenseful and emoji-filled period of talks, Stewart announced Feb. 1 that she’d be heading back to her home state of New York, joining a stacked Liberty roster that includes new signee 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones and star guard Sabrina Ionescu. The move is arguably one of the most consequential and high-profile in league history.
IMAGO
