New York Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb explained why the team opted not to bring back Natasha Cloud this season, despite calling the star a ‘legend’ in her lone season with the franchise
15:12 ET, 26 Apr 2026Updated 15:13 ET, 26 Apr 2026
Natasha Cloud, the outspoke WNBA star, remains unsigned with the season rapidly approaching(Image: Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
New York Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb shared his thoughts on the fact that Natasha Cloud remains unsigned with the 2026 WNBA season rapidly approaching.
On the court, the 34-year-old Cloud remains a steady force, having averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals for the Liberty last season. Off the court, the star is outspoken in her beliefs, being one of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s staunchest supporters, and makes her thoughts very clear on war and helping the poor.
Despite her production on the court and activism off it, Cloud remains without a team as the WNBA season begins in just days, leading fans to wonder whether the star is being blackballed for her beliefs. Now, Liberty general manager Kolb explained why New York has not opted to bring back Cloud, the popular star.
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“When it comes to Tash, she’s a phenomenal teammate,” Kolb began, per Lucas Kaplan. “She’s an awesome human being, she’s a phenomenal basketball player, she belongs in the WNBA. One of the best parts of my job is being able to have relationships with these players, build those relationships, curate those relationships.
“One of the ones that I’m most proud of is my relationship with Natasha. 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, and she puts her life on the line every single day with saying what she believes. So I just want to get that out.
“Also the fit: We were really fortunate, incredibly lucky to have Natasha Cloud on this team last year. We do not get out to a 9-0 start without her, and like I said earlier, that — that buffer was really important for seeding. We don’t win Game 1 against Phoenix last year in the first round without her.”
Jonathan Kolb, the New York Liberty’s general manager, shared his thoughts on Natasha Cloud remaining unsigned(Image: Photo by Amy Abramson-Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With that in mind, the general manager made it clear that the reason Cloud was not re-signed by the Liberty was not because of fit, but rather timing, so Kolb says.
“It was about our targets in free agency and the condensed nature where we can see how quickly things really move, but also it probably felt like they took a while too, because when you’re in the dark on things and we’re pursuing other opportunities, it probably doesn’t feel good,” he continued.
“So for me, I just want to get that out there. Tash is amazing. Look at what she did, she became a New York legend in one year here because of who she is off the floor, but also on.”
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Kolb’s comments come roughly a week after Cloud posted a heartfelt message on Threads as she remained unsigned. “I’ve give my heart to every team and community I’ve been part of, [never] fully knowing if the impact I hoped for was truly felt,” the star began.
“In this moment, though, receiving so much love, support, and advocacy means everything. It’s a powerful reminder that the impact I’ve wanted to make beyond the court is real – and aligned with what I believe God has called me to do through this game.
“I’m okay. Just taking things in; even if they weren’t what I expected, & trusting I’ll be alright.”
During the WNBA’s free agency period, Cloud switched agents twice, seemingly in hopes of landing with a team. Of note, the Liberty re-signed Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones while also brining in Satou Sabally to the team.