The New York Liberty have made another bold move in their quest to defend their WNBA championship, acquiring veteran guard Natasha Cloud from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and New York’s 2026 first-round pick.
This trade completes a chain of transactions that dates back to February 2023, when the Liberty acquired a 2025 pick swap from the Phoenix Mercury as part of a four-team trade. That swap ultimately turned into the No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft, which New York has now used to bring in Cloud.
For the Liberty, landing Cloud has been a long time coming. Back in 2019, the team attempted to sign her as a restricted free agent, but the Washington Mystics matched the offer sheet. Now, six years later, Cloud finally arrives in New York, bringing with her a wealth of experience and championship pedigree.
A battle-tested veteran, Cloud spent eight seasons with the Mystics, where she was instrumental in their 2019 championship run. She then had a brief stint with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Connecticut Sun earlier this offseason as part of the Satou Sabally blockbuster deal. Over her career, Cloud has averaged 8.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game while racking up numerous accolades, including the 2019 Dawn Staley Leadership Award, the 2022 WNBA assists title, and multiple All-Defensive Team selections.
Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating:
“We could not be more excited to welcome Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty family. Tash is someone who we identified years ago as a prime fit for our team and embodies everything we look for in a player. She has always left a lasting impression on the Barclays Center crowd, and we look forward to seeing the best fans in the WNBA embrace her on a nightly basis. Tash will undoubtedly strengthen our roster on both sides of the ball as we pursue another title in 2025.”
Cloud joins a Liberty team that has been strategic in reshaping its roster following the departures of Courtney Vandersloot and Kayla Thornton. New York has made several key moves this offseason, including re-signing Kennedy Burke, signing Rebekah Gardner and Isabelle Harrison, and retaining the rights to Marine Johannès, Ivana Dojkić, and Han Xu. With Breanna Stewart locked in under the core designation, the Liberty appear ready to make another championship push.
By adding Cloud—a proven leader, elite defender, and playmaker—New York has solidified its backcourt with a player who thrives in high-stakes moments. As the Liberty gear up for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Barclays Center to see if this new-look squad can bring another title home to Brooklyn.
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