No WNBA team has signed Natasha Cloud yet. Why? According to rumors on social media, the league has blackballed her because of her strong political views and pro-Palestine stance off the court. Her former team’s GM, Jonathan Kolb of the NY Liberty, attempted to clear the air on the matter. “What she stands for is what I stand for. I believe in speaking up for the voiceless. There is no better embodiment of that than Natasha Cloud.” But a few experts aren’t buying that.

In her latest segment, Courtside Club show host Rachel A. DeMita called out Kolb for his statement. “I was so confused by this because, why are you saying anything? That’s one thing, guys. Front offices need to stay off social media like please just get off social media.

Please don’t address social media rumors. And also, why are you addressing a social media rumor when you’re not signing her? So, I don’t get it. I mean, it’s nice, and it’s nice of him to say. I’m sure all of these things are true, but why do you have to come out and say something? You’re not signing Natasha Cloud.”

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There is no official report on the WNBA blackballing Cloud, as fans continue to criticize her online. Even Cloud hasn’t cleared the air over this growing narrative in any post, making the situation even more uncertain.

“I have yet to speak,” Cloud had shared. “That’s intentional & my power. I’ve just worked. No sulking, no whining. Work. & I will continue to work as I always have. Proving myself right year after year after year. (11) to be exact. I know who I am. I know my value/worth. & ain’t nothing traditional.”

Kolb’s statement in such a situation doesn’t seem fitting to DeMita, especially when it stems from social media and the team isn’t signing the player, citing “targets, and free agency, and the condensed nature of free agency, and how quickly things really move.”

For the Liberty, financial constraints were already a factor in signing Cloud. For context, the team kept the Big Three—Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones—for standard max salaries. The new CBA deducts a significant portion of the available $7M salary cap. On top of that, the team also signed free agent Satou Sabally to a two-year, $1.67 million deal, per reports.

That is what DeMita also pointed out in her assessment.

“The NY Liberty made some very big moves during the offseason, and they also signed Satou Sabally,” DeMita said. “They have Sabrina coming back, and they have Breanna coming back. They have used a lot of their cash on some of these bigger-name players, and that’s why they probably don’t have space for Natasha Cloud.” She added that Kolb oversold himself by going out of his way in the press conference.

Amid the uncertainty, The Athletic journalist Annie Costabile offered a free agency perspective on the matter.

Annie Costabile decodes a reason for Natasha Cloud’s situation

The Athletic journalist has previously shared that the league isn’t blackballing Cloud. She added that a few WNBA teams are interested in signing her, which sparked backlash from fans. But Costabile has a reason for saying that, which sounds plausible.

“Decisions for some teams were made quickly when the signing period opened, which could have taken potential opportunities off the table for Cloud before she was fully aware of her standing in New York’s plans,” Costabile said.

Costabile’s assessment makes sense in context. Cloud’s performance during her only season with the Liberty made her believe she at least deserved a chance for a roster spot on the team. After all, most franchises wouldn’t let go of a 10-year veteran who averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 assists last season.

Most rosters are nearly set, but Cloud remains the most prominent free agent on the board—a proven veteran waiting for a team to determine that her on-court value outweighs any off-court noise.