Betnijah Laney has verbally agreed to a multi-year deal with the New York Liberty, sources told Winsidr’s Rachel Galligan on Wednesday. Players can officially sign with teams beginning on Feb. 1.
Laney enjoyed the best season of her career in 2020 after being released by the Indiana Fever. She averaged 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the Atlanta Dream in the Bradenton, Florida bubble, and as a result was named the league’s Most Improved Player. The 27-year old also made first team All-Defense.
The Chicago Sky drafted Laney 17th overall in 2015. She spent four seasons performing small roles in Chicago, Connecticut, and Indiana before landing with the Dream and finding her groove. A lockdown perimeter defender, Laney took massive strides offensively in 2020, setting her up to be one of 2021’s most sought after unrestricted free agents.
New York is loaded with young talent, making the veteran Laney a perfect fit. She will be able to launch three-pointers at will while setting the tone defensively. Because the Liberty have an abundance of rookie contracts on their books, signing Laney should not preclude the team from chasing other big free agents.
