Liberty trade update may finally deliver resolution to Betnijah Laney-Hamilton disappearance

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is becoming an afterthought for the New York Liberty.

Sure, the Liberty's roster is among the deepest in the WNBA. That is a reality to which first-year head coach Chris DeMarco has alluded several times in recent weeks.

However, Laney-Hamilton's return after a meniscus tear cost her the entire 2025 season has generated more negative headlines than positive ones.

MORE: Wings' Alanna Smith update is a trade plan no one saw coming

Consider "Shoegate" in Toronto on July 12. in the fourth quarter of an eventual loss to the Tempo, Laney-Hamilton chucked teammate Jonquel Jones' shoe the length of the court and inadvertently hit Toronto's Marina Mabrey. That led to a lengthy review and ended in Laney-Hamilton's eventual ejection.

Chris DeMarco on Betnijah Laney-Hamilton not playing again tonight: "We have a lot of depth on this team, and roles change game to game. I'm really proud of this team and teh way we fought tonight. The problem with having so many good players... is that there's only so many…

Laney-Hamilton has made only five starts in 2026 and is averaging 4.7 points in 16.8 minutes per game. For this former All-Star and WNBA champion, her lack of playing time -- combined with her expiring contract -- makes her an attractive trade candidate before the Aug. 2 deadline.

The Athletic's Annie Costabile on Tuesday reported that the Connecticut Sun have checked in on Laney-Hamilton, who would easily fit within Connecticut's abundant cap space.

The Sun has roughly $800,000 in available space under the salary cap, and one formula that has been considered is a swap of Laney-Hamilton for talented second-year forward Aneesah Morrow.

Morrow is averaging close to a double-double -- 10.5 points and 9.3 rebounds -- in 22.6 minutes per game this season. Connecticut has a logjam of forwards on the roster though, and Morrow might have to make way before the franchise relocates to Houston in 2027.

Laney-Hamilton would get more playing time and quickly become a veteran presence alongside Brittney Griner in Uncasville, while Morrow would be an intriguing young piece for the Liberty to add to their frontcourt.

In the next few days, we'll find out just how real that possibility is.

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