Sports News Report
League: WNBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

Liberty release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after failed trade negotiations

7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 6, 2026, 11:48 PM

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

Liberty release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after failed trade negotiations
Summary

The New York Liberty announced the release of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton on August 6, 2026. This decision comes after the team could not finalize a trade before the deadline. Laney-Hamilton, a valuable wing player, earned All-Star honors in 2021 and was part of the Liberty’s championship team in 2024. The franchise expressed gratitude for her contributions in a recent social media post. The team will now look ahead to fill the gap left by her departure.

Source Links
Yahoo SportsESPN WNBAYahoo Entertainment
Status Watch
  • •Betnijah Laney-Hamilton released by New York Liberty on August 6, 2026.
  • •Failed trade negotiations led to her release.
  • •Laney-Hamilton was an All-Star in 2021 and 2024 champion.
  • •Liberty thank her for her contributions in social media post.
Latest Updates
  • 11:48 PMYahoo Sports — New York Liberty release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, sign Marine Fauthoux
  • 11:16 PMYahoo Sports — New York Liberty release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after nearly 6 years
  • 10:51 PMESPN WNBA — Liberty waive Laney-Hamilton after impactful run
  • 10:34 PMYahoo Sports — Liberty waive Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, key forward from WNBA Finals runs
  • 9:39 PMYahoo Sports — Longtime New York Liberty standout waived amid DNP-filled season
  • 9:37 PMYahoo Entertainment — Liberty surprisingly release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after benching - Yahoo Sports
  • 9:11 PMYahoo Sports — Liberty surprisingly release Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after failing to find trade deadline deal
What they're saying
"

The New York Liberty have waived forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, the team announced Thursday. According to a source familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the move at this time, Laney-Hamilton — the second-longest-tenured Liberty player behind guard Sabrina Ionescu — was signed to a one-year, $400,000 protected veteran contract without a buyout. Though the move doesn’t free up cap space, it gives the Liberty an extr

"

The New York Lbierty released guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton on Thursday. Laney-Hamilton was instrumental in the Liberty's 2024 WNBA championship run. “We want to thank Betnijah for everything she has given to this organization," Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb said in a statement.

"

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a stalwart of the Liberty since 2021 who was a key component in their 2024 title run, was waived Thursday.

Related Teams & Leagues
New York LibertyAtlanta DreamChicago SkyIndiana FeverGolden State ValkyriesWNBABasketball

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days