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Natasha Cloud Remains Free After Liberty Release, Sabally Pursuit

4/28/2026

Summary

Natasha Cloud Released

Veteran guard Natasha Cloud entered the 2026 WNBA training-camp period unsigned after the New York Liberty released her for roster flexibility, not activism.
Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb praised Cloud as a phenomenal player and New York legend at the April 27, 2026 preseason conference.
The Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings, who expressed interest, saw the Liberty’s pursuit of Satou Sabally end any chance of Cloud’s return.

Summary

Cloud Seeks Salary

Cloud earned $200,000 in 2025 via a contract the Liberty inherited from the Connecticut Sun.
The 2026 collective bargaining agreement lifted the league minimum to $270,000, raising veteran pay expectations.
Cloud posted on Threads that she knows her value and seeks compensation reflecting experience.
Analysts warn the market may not meet her salary goals without a deal.
Accepting a reduced contract could set a precedent for undervaluation of her skill.

Summary

WNBA Free-Agency Chaos

The 2026 WNBA free-agency market is chaotic after the new CBA, with over 100 players and limited cap space.
The Washington Mystics hold $3.22 million and the Golden State Valkyries $1.41 million in cap space, positioning both for veteran signings.
Mid-level players earned seven-figure contracts, such as Jessica Sheppard’s $1 million deal with the Dallas Wings and Azurá Stevens’ similar $1 million contract with the Chicago Sky.

Summary

Cloud Changes Agents

The 2026 free-agency window ran April 6-10, with signings starting April 11.
Natasha Cloud changed agents during that five-day window, complicating her negotiations.
Insiders said teams moved fast after the market opened, removing offers before Cloud learned the New York Liberty’s roster plans.
League sources refuted blackball claims and confirmed interest from multiple franchises.
Analysts expect a title-contending team to sign Cloud before the season deepens.

History

Historical Context

After the WNBPA ratified its first CBA on 30 April 1999—raising the minimum salary to $30,000—the league set a $100,000 floor and a $2.5 million cap, prompting early wage battles like the New York Liberty’s $120,000 deal for Becky Hammon. By 2026, the minimum reached $270,000 and the Washington Mystics held $3.22 million in cap space, shaping today’s contract landscape.

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Natasha Cloud Released

Veteran guard Natasha Cloud entered the 2026 WNBA training-camp period unsigned after the New York Liberty released her for roster flexibility, not activism.
Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb praised Cloud as a phenomenal player and New York legend at the April 27, 2026 preseason conference.
The Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings, who expressed interest, saw the Liberty’s pursuit of Satou Sabally end any chance of Cloud’s return.

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