GM Jonathan Kolb says ‘it’s fair to assume’ Liberty will suspend Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s contract

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb expects guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to make a “full return” from a left meniscus injury.

But a return likely won’t come during the 2025 season, leading the general manager to believe “it’s fair to assume we will be suspending that contract.”

“First off, heart breaks for Betnijah,” Kolb said about Laney-Hamilton, who averaged 9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while often covering the opposing team’s best perimeter player in 2024. “I think everyone in this room knows how much she means to this organization, what she means to our fan base, and how she’s been a major part of our success.”

Laney-Hamilton suffered the injury while participating in Unrivaled — the new 3-on-3 pro league — as a relief player during the winter. The team announced on March 31 that the 31-year-old would return to basketball activities in 5-6 months. At the time, that timeline would’ve projected a possible postseason return for the two-way star.

Now, it’s almost certain she won’t suit up at all for this season’s title defense.

The transaction isn’t official, but suspending Laney-Hamilton’s contract would open up an extra roster spot going into the season. It also erases Laney-Hamilton’s 2025 salary ($185,400) off the books, which gives the Liberty more flexibility to sign players throughout the season.

The transaction would also essentially turn Laney-Hamilton, who was initially expected to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025 season, into a reserve player.

“It takes that money off of our cap. We’re able to carry 12 players, and then we also maintain negotiating rights next year,” Kolb said before Saturday’s training camp practice at Barclays Center. “So as we take all that into account. You know, I think it’s more likely than not, that by the start of the season, that will be the thing.”

Losing Laney-Hamilton — months after the Liberty lost key bench player Kayla Thornton in the expansion draft — is a tough obstacle to overcome for Sandy Brondello’s roster.

The Liberty, though, could see a clearer pathway to retain some of their cheaper players after training camp. Kennedy Burke’s chances were already high to stay in hopes to fulfill the void left from Thornton‘s departure.

Rebekah Gardner, a guard brought into the team for defense, also gets a better chance to stay on the team with freed up cap space. The same goes for new Liberty signee Isabelle Harrison. If the Liberty intend to leave training camp with a full active roster — 12 players — young guards Jaylyn Sherrod and Marquesha Davis could find themselves on the team to start the season.

The front office could go another route and sign players that were released elsewhere and have them on the squad.

The added flexibility will come in handy when three key players — Marine Johannes (France), Nyara Sabally (German) and Leonie Fiebich (Germany) — leave the Liberty in June to represent their respective countries in the EuroBasket tournament. Kolb confirmed Saturday that the trio are expected to participate in the tournament.

“It can’t be overstated. National teams mean everything to these players,” Kolb said.