The New York Liberty officially released Betnijah Laney-Hamilton on Thursday, a shocking move that came four days *after* the August 2 trade deadline. It’s wild to see a player like Laney-Hamilton, a 2021 All-Star and a key piece of the Liberty’s 2024 championship squad, suddenly cut loose like this. Even with her recent lack of playing time, the timing makes you scratch your head.
From Champ to Bench in a Flash
Laney-Hamilton was a genuine force for the Liberty. Since joining the team in 2021, the 6-foot guard was a starter, logging 108 starts in 126 regular-season games. She was the real deal, averaging 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest. Her role in bringing New York their 2024 WNBA championship was massive, no doubt about it, cementing her legacy as Liberty royalty, as General Manager Jonathan Kolb himself said. She even sat out all of last year, 2025, to recover from left knee surgery and rehabilitation, ready to make a comeback for this season.
But man, things went sideways fast this year. Under new coach Chris DeMarco, Laney-Hamilton found herself coming off the bench, her minutes dropping to under 17 per contest. It was a massive shift for a player who’d been so instrumental. She’d been a healthy scratch since July 12, a crazy fall from grace for a former All-Star.
The Shoe Heard ‘Round the WNBA
We can’t talk about Laney-Hamilton’s 2026 season without bringing up *that* incident. In the July 12 game, she got ejected after throwing a shoe that nailed Tempo guard Marina Mabrey. Talk about a moment! That was it for her playing time, too, because she hasn’t seen the court since that night. The Liberty filled her empty roster spot by signing Marine Fauthoux, who was on a developmental contract, to a multi-year deal.
Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb tried to soften the blow, stating the move lets Laney-Hamilton “pursue a larger basketball role” elsewhere. He praised her professionalism, leadership, and commitment, acknowledging her lasting impact on the team and her “forever cemented” legacy as a championship contributor. But still, the optics are tough when a key player, despite a guaranteed $400,000 contract, is basically told to find a new home.
Laney-Hamilton will be a huge name on the waiver wire. Any team looking for some veteran depth ahead of the playoffs is going to eye her up. If she clears waivers, she’s a free agent, able to sign with any team that has cap space or an injury exemption. This is a story that’s far from over, and we’ll be watching to see where this champion lands next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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