Kevin Durant is making his case for Breanna Stewart to join him in New York City.
The Brooklyn Nets superstar said he reached out to Stewart recently about her free-agency decision, which the former WNBA MVP has reportedly narrowed down to the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm. Durant made clear he wants Stewart to sign with the Liberty and bring championship basketball back to New York.
“I hit Stewie the other day, and I never do this,” Durant said on Boardroom’s “The ETCs with Kevin Durant.” “And I 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, but they cooking up.”
.@KDTrey5 REALLY wants Breanna Stewart to join the New York Liberty. 🗽👀
— Boardroom (@boardroom) January 30, 2023
"I hit [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.'" pic.twitter.com/BTnCtkETJW
The Liberty made the biggest splash of the offseason when they acquired 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun on Jan. 16. Jones joins a roster that already includes former No. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu, 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere, All-Star Betnijah Laney and WNBA champion coach Sandy Brondello.
“They’re cooking, man. They’re doing their thing. They’re bringing the best talent to New York,” Durant said. “If they win a ‘ship here, pshh, Barclays is gonna be jumping.”
The Liberty and Nets are closely intertwined, with Joe Tsai as the owner of both teams and Barclays Center as their shared home arena. Stewart has played for the Storm since 2016, winning two championships and two Finals MVP awards. But she is a native of New York State and a UConn alum, and the Liberty have courted her in each of the past two offseasons.
If Stewart were to choose the Liberty, they’d form the latest WNBA superteam. The Las Vegas Aces look even more formidable this season after Candace Parker announced her intention to sign with the reigning champions on Saturday.
“They got a good coach, good fan base, Brooklyn excited about having them,” Durant said.