Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu could barely get through the sentence with a serious face.
“I don’t think I’m getting taken in the expansion draft,” she said this week, her voice trailing off as she chuckled. “I don’t think that was obviously something I ever thought about.”
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Of course the Liberty were going to use one of their five protected spots for Friday’s WNBA expansion draft on Ionescu, a pivotal player in their 2026 plans.
But who will get the final four protections?
The Liberty’s Marine Johannes handles the ball as Emily Engstler (21) of the Mystics defends during a regular season matchup at Barclays Center. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
As The Post previously reported, the Liberty could choose to not protect Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones or both. Both are unrestricted free agents who are ineligible to be cored. So it wouldn’t be wise for the Portland Fire or Toronto Tempo to take either of them because they wouldn’t have exclusive negotiating rights.
Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally, the only two players the Liberty have under contract for 2026, appear to be locks to be protected. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, whose negotiating rights remain with the Liberty after she missed last season, is another obvious choice because she’s in the team’s plans for the upcoming season.
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If they decide to leave both Stewart and Jones exposed, that last protected spot is where things get tricky.
Marine Johannès, Rebekah Gardner and Raquel Carrera are all candidates.
Given the number of draft rights and reserved free agents the Liberty have, they are in jeopardy of losing two players Friday.
Here are five players who are potential expansion draft picks:
Marine Johannès, guard: A Liberty fan favorite nicknamed the Wizard for her blink-and-you-miss-it playmaking, Johannès can be a streaky shooter but a difference-maker off the bench.
Johannès was the only Liberty player to appear in all 44 regular-season games in 2025. She averaged 6.4 points while shooting 39.7 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from deep.
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She fell out of the rotation in the playoffs, playing 10 minutes in three games against the Mercury.
Johannès is a reserved free agent, meaning the drafting team would control her rights.
Rebekah Gardner, guard: Last season was Gardner’s first time being healthy for a full season since 2022.
The lean 6-foot-1 guard who put up modest numbers, averaging 3.7 points on 50/47.6/81.5 shooting splits in 12.2 minutes per game. Her cutting ability really popped at times, and she’s a high-energy defender.
Gardner, who added some muscle this offseason, said she feels as good as she’s felt in a long time and excelled at Athletes Unlimited.
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Gardner told The Post in late February she planned to play in Brooklyn this season.
Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum drives past Rebekah Gardner during the second half of the Liberty’s loss to the Sparks at Barclays Center on July 26, 2025. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Emma Meesseman, forward: Meesseman is a big question because her WNBA return remains unclear.
If the 32-year-old Belgian does want to return and the Liberty left her unprotected, she’d be an intriguing choice for either expansion team. Meesseman is core eligible, and she’s worthy of the top-dollar salary that would come with that.
Meesseman is one of the top forwards in international basketball. She’s a two-time WNBA All-Star who won a championship with the Mystics in 2019 and could be a strong foundational piece for a new franchise.
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Raquel Carrera, center: Despite having been drafted in the second round by the Dream in 2021, draft-and-stash prospect Carrera has yet to make her WNBA debut.
A source told The Post she intends to join the league this year and could emerge as a gem.
The Liberty’s Emma Meesseman looks on during a regular season matchup against the Mystics at Barclays Center. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
The 24-year-old Spanish center plays for EuroLeague’s Valencia alongside Fiebich, averaging 10.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. She’s billed as a high-IQ, versatile post player.
Annika Soltau, forward: The Liberty signed Soltau to a rookie deal last year after the 6-foot-4 German shot-blocker went undrafted. She didn’t play last season, but could make the transition to the WNBA this year.
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FIBA named Soltau one of Europe’s 20 rising stars in early 2025. The 21-year-old is known for her defensive acumen. This season, she’s averaging 20.7 points and 11.1 rebounds for Baden Basket 54 in the Swiss League.
Other players: The Liberty hold the rights to Han Xu, a 6-foot-10 center from China. She last played in the WNBA in 2023 but reportedly wants to return.
France’s Seehia Ridard, Marine Fauthoux and Adja Kane are other international prospects whose rights the Liberty hold.
Natasha Cloud, Kennedy Burke and Isabelle Harrison are unrestricted free agents.
