Injuries dominated this past WNBA season. The Indiana Fever played without five of their key players, while the Dallas Wings faced similar challenges, with a thin roster affecting their performance. No team managed to stay fully healthy, and Liberty star Jonquel Jones was another notable casualty. Now, amid this chaos of CBA negotiations and free agency, Jones made a major offseason announcement that could significantly reshape the dynamics of the free-agent market.

In a story on her official Instagram handle, Jones shared a clip of herself on a hospital bed with the caption, “Surgery done. Officially day 1 of recovery.” Her father can be seen alongside the 31-year-old Bahamian player. According to reports, she underwent a procedure on her right ankle, an injury that had bothered her throughout the season. As noted by Jackie Powell of The IX Basketball, the surgery was a minor operation intended to correct instability in the joint.

The five-time WNBA All-Star sprained her right ankle twice this year, causing her to miss about 13 regular-season games and nearly a month of action. In the 31 games she did play, Jones averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. She also appeared in all three of the Liberty’s postseason games, though her production dipped to 5.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. However, a major reason for the drop in her performance was the recurring ankle injury.

The 31-year-old first injured it during an 86-78 win over the Washington Mystics on June 5. While the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP returned to the court soon after, the injury flared up again during an 89–81 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on June 19. Unfortunately, injuries were a defining storyline of New York’s 2025 campaign.

The core trio of Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart each missed significant time with various ailments. The absence of their star players was a major pressure point for the 2024 WNBA champions, contributing to their early exit in the first round of 2025. Now, with the offseason in full swing, New York faces a complete reset, both in coaching and roster construction.

That makes Jonquel Jones one of the most intriguing names on the free-agent market. Her track record speaks for itself: the Liberty are an unbeaten 34-0 whenever she records a double-double. A 2021 WNBA MVP and 2024 Finals MVP, Jones will be a top target for teams across the league. Although her recent surgery and recovery timeline could slightly temper interests. Despite that, there are signs she may stay in New York.

Jones has hinted at her desire to “run it back” with the Liberty. Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb has also expressed confidence that the team’s core of Ionescu, Stewart, and Jones, all want to return. While nothing is official yet, one thing is certain: the Liberty’s championship-winning head coach, Sandy Brondello, will not be returning. The franchise now faces the challenge of rebuilding its title-contending core under new leadership. And Jonquel Jones’ decision could define how their next chapter begins.

While Jonquel Jones may return, Sandy Brondello does not share the same New York fate

The Liberty front office decided to part ways with their head coach despite carrying an injured New York squad into the playoffs. It was under the 57-year-old’s leadership that the franchise captured its first-ever championship title n 2024! As for her resume, the ex-Liberty coach had also guided the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014. So while the Liberty’s core of Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart may return next season, they will find a new face leading them from the sidelines.

Currently, the Liberty have not finalized anyone to fill the vacancy. Interestingly, the 57-year-old could make a quick return to the WNBA with a new team. According to rumors, the expansion franchise Toronto Tempo is eyeing the ex-Liberty coach for its inaugural head coach position. Tempo GM Monica Wright Rogers is reportedly in favor of the move.

Reports suggest the coach’s interest in Toronto stems from the opportunity to build a team from the ground up. However, nothing is confirmed yet, so readers should take this with a grain of salt.

However, former Liberty assistant coach and husband of Sandy Brondello, Olaf Lange, has a new role. Lange has been named the head coach of the German women’s national team, the German Basketball Federation announced earlier. It potentially sets the stage for Lange vs Brondello, who’s leading the Australian women’s national team, to face off at next year’s World Cup. As we said, this offseason is opening up exciting new avenues for everyone involved.