The most puzzling storyline to come out of 2026 WNBA free agency didn’t have anything to do with the CBA.
The fact that former New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud hasn’t been signed yet is genuinely baffling. Why hasn’t one of the league’s better point guards joined a WNBA team yet?
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We don’t have any concrete answers as to why Cloud, a defensive stalwart who averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 assists per game last season with the Liberty, hasn’t signed a deal yet. What gives? Why is she not on a roster right now?
She recently played in the Unrivaled league with the Phantom, so her health shouldn’t be an issue. What else could it be?
One factor is that Cloud recently swapped agents, according to New York Post reporter Madeline Kenney. Perhaps, with the new CBA amplifying how much money players can make, Cloud didn’t get the deal she was looking for as a free agent and changed out agents to secure a better payday for what she brings on the court.
Has Cloud responded to still being a free agent?
Cloud spoke to her current free agency predicament, however indirectly, on social media this week.
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“I’ve given my heart to every team and community I’ve been part of, never fully knowing if the impact I hoped for was truly felt,” Cloud wrote on Threads this week. “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.”
At this point, Cloud might benefit from waiting a bit longer and seeing how the first quarter of the 2026 WNBA season unfolds before joining a franchise. As injuries bubble up and roster flaws get real-time exposure, a proven point guard available in free agency like Cloud will hold more power on how much she plays for when signed.
The issue isn’t her play. Even at 34, she’s still a proven option to run the point who can guard some of the best players in the WNBA. Our best guess as to why she’s unsigned is salary-related. However, any team needing guard help should consider bringing in Cloud ASAP. It’s hard to find a player of this caliber this late into free agency.
What teams could she join?
Our best guess is a team like the Toronto Tempo, who could give 2026 first rounder Kiki Rice a backup role behind Cloud, or the Portland Fire, who could use all the veteran help they can get in their first season. The Phoenix Mercury traded Cloud away in 2025, but the team could upgrade its roster by bringing Cloud back.
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The New York Liberty make a lot of sense, too, as Cloud just played there. The team never really replaced her with a player of equal talent, so you could see the two sides eventually coming to a deal. Cloud returning to the Washington Mystics, where she won a title in 2019, might be a great fit, especially if Georgia Amoore isn’t quite ready to start at point guard. She could also come off the bench for a contending team like the Atlanta Dream, Golden State Vaklyries or Los Angeles Sparks. The Seattle Storm could use depth at guard, too.
Where will she land?
Our guess will be the Mystics on a one-year deal. Going back to a team where she won a title and played most of her career makes so much sense, especially when you consider the need for veteran leadership in that locker room. However, her reuniting with Sandy Brondello in Toronto wouldn’t surprise us, either.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why is Natasha Cloud still a WNBA free agent?
