Jonquel Jones, Liberty Agree to New Contract in WNBA Free Agency After Finals Run
February 16, 2024
After helping the New York Liberty reach the WNBA Finals last season, Jonquel Jones is going to run it back with the Eastern Conference champs.
The Liberty announced on Friday they have signed Jones to a new contract in free agency.
New York Liberty @nylibertySigned, sealed, delivered and officially official ✍️ The NY Liberty have re-signed Jonquel Jones. Let the countdown to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SEAFOAMSZN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SEAFOAMSZN</a> begin 🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIGHTITUPNYL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIGHTITUPNYL</a> <a href="https://t.co/61yawdiyqb">pic.twitter.com/61yawdiyqb</a>
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb issued a statement about bringing Jones back in 2024:
The Local W @TheLocalW"We are overjoyed to welcome back JJ," said GM Jonathan Kolb. "In just 1 season, she became an indelible part of the Liberty's core identity, on & off-the-court, and keeping her in seafoam was our first priority in open free agency as we continue our championship pursuit in 2024 <a href="https://t.co/9a5yyXz3fQ">https://t.co/9a5yyXz3fQ</a>
Jones was traded to the Liberty last offseason after requesting a deal from the Connecticut Sun.
The George Washington alum spent the first six years of her career with the Sun. She was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, but her rights were acquired by Connecticut as part of the Chelsea Gray trade.
Jones had a stellar run with Connecticut, including winning Most Improve Player in 2017, Sixth Woman of the Year in 2018 and WNBA MVP in 2021. She was also a four-time All-Star during that period.
In her first season with the Liberty, Jones ranked fourth on the team in scoring average (11.3 points per game) and second in rebounding (8.3). She started all 50 games between the regular season and playoffs.
The Liberty finished second in the regular-season standings with a 32-8 record, trailing only the Las Vegas Aces (34-6). Those two teams met in the WNBA Finals, with the Aces winning in four games.
It was New York's first appearance in the Finals since 2002 and fifth all-time. The franchise has yet to win a championship.
Bringing Jones back keeps the Liberty's starting five from last season intact. The reigning Eastern Conference champs will tipoff the 2024 campaign on May 14 against the Washington Mystics.