Breanna Stewart down to Liberty and Storm as Kevin Durant makes recruiting push
Kevin Durant is recruiting Breanna Stewart to Brooklyn.
The Nets star believes it would be “an incredible dynasty” if Stewart — the 28-year-old former MVP and two-time WNBA Champion — were to join the Liberty. Both teams play at Barclays Center under the same ownership of businessman Joe Tsai and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai.
“Stewie come here, it’s going to be ridiculous,” Durant said on the Monday episode of his “The ETCs” podcast — which came the day after Stewart reportedly narrowed down her options to the Seattle Storm or the Liberty. Stewart has been with the Storm since they selected her with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft.
“I hit Stewie [Breanna Stewart] the other day, and I never do this, and was like, ‘Yo, it would be an incredible dynasty in New York City if you came here.’
“I don’t think she’s seen it yet,” Durant said, adding that the Liberty are “cooking up” after acquiring former MVP Jonquel Jones in a three-team trade earlier this month.
“They’re doing their thing. They’re bringing the best talent to New York. If they win a chip here… Barclays is gonna be jumping. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Durant had Libs fans riled up when he emerged in the comments section of a “Monday Motivation” Instagram post by the Liberty.
“WHERE’S STEWIE???” Durant wrote under an action shot of All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu — to which the team replied with an eyeball and a crossed fingers emojis.
Even with the acquisition of Jones, the Liberty managed to carve out enough cap space to make a max offer to another superstar free agent. Liberty brass also appears to be putting on the full court press in its not-so-secret pursuit of Stewart.
Last week, Clara Wu Tsai, head coach Sandy Brondello, general manager Jonathan Kolb and assistant GM Ohemaa Nyanin were spotted sitting court side at one of Stewart’s games in Istanbul — where she is playing with Fenerbahce as part of the women’s Euroleague competition. The group spoke with the four-time WNBA All-Star after the game.
Stewart also has been sharing cryptic tweets with various emojis — including a Lady Liberty emoji — as her free agency continues to dominate headlines.
The Puma athlete also grabbed headlines for a tweet last week saying she would contribute her name, image and likeness, as well as posts and production, to enter a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA.
Stewart, a North Syracuse native, led the Storm to championships in 2018 and 2020, winning Finals MVP both times. The UConn product led the league in scoring last season with 21.8 points per game.
The fourth-seeded Storm (22-14) were eliminated in the second round of the 2022 playoffs against the eventual-champion Aces in four games.
WNBA free agents can officially sign with teams beginning Wednesday.
