Why Natasha Cloud remains unsigned ahead of the 2026 WNBA season

 


Last year, Natasha Cloud was the starting point guard on a New York Liberty squad with championship hopes, averaging 10.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds. But with just one week remaining until the opening tip-off of the 2026 WNBA season, Cloud -- a 10-year veteran, three-time All-Defensive Team selection and 2019 WNBA champion -- remains unsigned. 

This has been the biggest question hanging over the WNBA preseason. Unsubstantiated rumors about Cloud being blackballed due to her advocacy and rampant speculation about her salary demands clouded the conversation. CBS Sports independently verified through league sources that at least one team reached out to New York directly to discuss Cloud, and the Liberty front office offered a strong recommendation on her behalf. The status of those conversations is unclear. 

Even at 34, Cloud is still clearly a valuable player in the league. So, why is she without a contract? And what does the future possibly hold?

Here's everything you need to know about Cloud's current situation.

Why didn't the New York Liberty re-sign Cloud?

Cloud was traded twice in the months leading up to the 2025 season: in February, she was moved from the Phoenix Mercury to the Connecticut Sun as part of the Alyssa Thomas deal, then a month later, she was flipped from the Sun to the Liberty for two first-round draft picks.

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