Satou Sabally’s departure from Phoenix raised questions during free agency.
And there are still questions that need answers as the three-time All-Star prepared to face off against her former team on Wednesday.
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Sabally, who signed with the Liberty last month after one season with the Mercury, said she was “relatively” surprised her former team didn’t use a core designation that would’ve kept Phoenix’s Big 3 — Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and Sabally — intact.
“I think it’s a perspective to being surprised, but I also know that they wanted to keep their options open,” she said during Wednesday’s shootaround at Barclays Center.
At the time of free agency, questions were raised why the Mercury wouldn’t use the core designation — which the team never used in the offseason — to secure the team’s leading scorer (16.3 PPG) who helped the franchise clinch a WNBA Finals berth.
At the top of the question list is whether the Mercury’s handling of Sabally’s concussion suffered in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals impacted her later free-agency decision.
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Sabally suffered the concussion after her head collided with Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell’s leg. After laying on the hardwood for minutes, the star was helped up by a teammate and staff member before they helped her walk off the court.
The franchise drew immense scrutiny for having Sabally walk off the floor instead of being securely carried away on a stretcher. Many also drew ire with the lack of neck and head support applied for Sabally as she left the court.
“Probably,” Sabally said if the concussion impacted her time in Phoenix.
Lingering symptoms stemming from the concussion led Sabally to be away from basketball for months, including her Unrivaled season that started three months after the end of the WNBA Finals.
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Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts defended the handling process of Sabally last year, and he continued with the same stance on Wednesday.
When asked how the concussion was handled, the head coach said “That’s the medical team for them to have those discussions, we are focused on [Wednesday].
After being asked if he thought the concussion was handled properly from his perspective, Tibbetts said “absolutely.”
The 2026 free agency cycle was quicker within a tighter offseason window after the league and WNBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement.
Still, Sabally said she had “respectful conversations” with Tibbetts and Mercury GM Nick U’Ren during free agency.
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And when Tibbetts was asked about his communication with the team’s Big 3 and their intentions of possibly re-signing, the head coach said “A lot of that conversation was with Nick [U’Ren]. We’re focused on the season. Free agency and that stuff is done.”
Tibbett said he was transparent throughout the process and felt both parties split on a good note.
Sabally’s answer was a bit different.
“I was more so focused on where I [wanted] to be next. And I think that is in an environment that really encourages me and believes in me. So, I think that was just something that I had to do, like for my own protection also.”
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Now, make it two consecutive offseasons where the WNBA world watched a key contributor join Phoenix and surprisingly depart after completing just one season.
Natasha Cloud signed with the Mercury in 2024 and had planned to stay there long-term. She was later dealt to the Connecticut Sun in a trade that sent Thomas to Phoenix in February 2025. The move came after Cloud expressed desires to stay in Phoenix long-term while actively recruiting players to the Mercury franchise.
Cloud, of course, was re-routed to the Liberty via trade a month later then signed with the Chicago Sky in 2026 as an unrestricted free agent.
“I think I’ve been playing basketball in the league for this long. I mean, it happens,” Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner said of Sabally leaving. The vet added that Sabally was a “great teammate” to have on and off the floor.
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“It’s just kind of the way of the land. Everybody’s going to do what’s best for their family and what works for them. So we love Sa, we miss her, but I hope she’s happy. She’s doing her thing. Can’t wait to see her.”
Sabally hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent gave Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb all the access he needed to recruit and sign the Oregon product.
Satou being around the team when her sister — Nyara Sabally, who now is on the Toronto Tempo — was on the roster gave a glimpse on what playing in New York was like.
“I feel like I’ve been really close with them throughout the process of just being around my sister a lot, visiting her a lot in the offseason, and just even guiding them just throughout everything in the [2024 WNBA Finals]. So I was very familiar with everyone. I think it just showed me what type of organization this is, how much they care about people, and how much they also care for my sister while she really like grew up here too essentially.”
