WNBA teams that could make playoffs with a push
In a way-too-early playoff discussion, the Studio IX crew breaks down which teams need to push right now in the season to make it to the playoffs.
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Even though she wasn’t dealt at the WNBA trade deadline, Betnijah Laney Hamilton’s time with the New York Liberty has come to an end.
The 32-year-old forward was waived, the team announced on Thursday, Aug. 6.
They move comes after Laney-Hamilton, a former All-Star and starter on the 2024 title team, went seven consecutive games without seeing the court despite having recovered from the knee injury that sidelined her for all of last season.
Her final appearance with the Liberty saw her get ejected for throwing a shoe in a July 12 loss at the Toronto Tempo. Laney-Hamilton averaged 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 17 games with five starts this season.
“We want to thank Betnijah for everything she has given to this organization. She has been an instrumental part of our success since 2021 and has made a lasting impact on our team, both on and off the court. We’re incredibly grateful for her professionalism, leadership, and the commitment she brought to the New York Liberty every day,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said in the team’s release.
“While this decision is incredibly difficult, we believe this will give Betnijah the best opportunity to pursue a larger basketball role. We wish her nothing but success moving forward, and she’ll always be a member of the Liberty family. As a key contributor to the first championship in franchise history, Betnijah’s legacy with the Liberty is forever cemented.”
With the open roster spot, the Liberty inked developmental player Marine Fauthoux to a multiyear deal, the team announced. On a developmental deal, the French rookie could make one more appearance before hitting the limit of 12 games. Fauthoux is averaging 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists over her past eight contests.
In 2021, Laney-Hamilton earned her first All-Star selection. The milestone accolade came in her first season with the Liberty. She was originally selected as the 17th overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2015 draft. She was waived by the Indiana Fever days before the 2020 season. She then signed with the Atlanta Dream where she had a breakout season, posting career highs of 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 4.0 assists. She was the 2020 Most Improved Player and earned first-team All-Defensive honors.
She started in all 40 of the Liberty’s games en route to the 2023 WNBA Finals, averaging 12.8 points per game. She missed 12 games in 2024 because of right knee issues but averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists during the regular season, then started in every postseason game during New York’s run to its first title.
Former coach Sandy Brondello was fired following the 2025 season, and Laney-Hamilton never broke into coach Chris DeMarco’s rotation.
The Liberty, who won the Commissioner’s Cup, have a 19-13 record. Hamilton was on a $400,000 protected veteran contract this season and then was set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Now, she’ll be be free to sign with another team.