Liberty’s depth takes hit with two departures in WNBA free agency

The Liberty’s depth took a hit Sunday.

Kennedy Burke and Isabelle Harrison are moving on from New York.

Burke signed a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun, the team announced Sunday. Meanwhile, Harrison joined Sandy Brondello and Nyara Sabally in Toronto, the Tempo announced. 

Harrison’s one-year deal is worth $400,000, a source told The Post. The Liberty likely couldn’t match that price point because they are experiencing a cap crunch, especially after signing Satou Sabally. 

On the heels of their departure, the Liberty signed Australian forward Anneli Maley to a training camp contract. 

Maley was Oregon teammates with Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu during the 2017-18 campaign. She’s coming off a record-setting 65-point game with Perth Redbacks of the NBL1.

The Liberty also signed Spanish forward/center Raquel Carrera to a training camp contract and intend to re-sign guard Marine Johannès. New York also extended a reserved qualifying offer to Rebekah Gardner and has the exclusive negotiating rights to Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Marine Fauthroux and Han Xu. 

Burke spent the past two seasons in New York, winning a championship in 2024. She’s coming off a career-best season, during which she averaged 8.1 points while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.

Burke on Thursday was named EuroCup Finals MVP after helping Turkey club CISMA CBK Mersin win a championship. She averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and one steal per game through the tournament. 

In a statement, Sun general manager Morgan Tuck called Burke a “proven competitor, whose versatility, experience and championship mindset” will bode well for Connecticut.

“Her success in the league and overseas highlights the impact she makes on both ends of the floor,” Tuck continued. “We’re excited about the depth and toughness she brings to our team and can’t wait to see her in a Sun uniform.” 

Meanwhile, Harrison is entering her ninth WNBA season. She’s been part of the league since Brondello, then the Mercury head coach, drafted her No. 12 overall in 2015 out of Tennessee, but injuries and illness caused her to miss three seasons. 

Over the course of her career, Harrison has averaged 7.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 47.5 percent overall. 

In a statement, Harrison said she was “happy to be part of something new.”

“I’m ready to get the season started,” Harrison said. 

The feeling is mutual, according to Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers. 

“Isabelle brings toughness, experience, and versatility to our frontcourt,” Wright Rogers said in a statement. “She’s a proven professional who understands her role, competes on every possession, and provides valuable depth and leadership as we continue to shape our roster.”

Burke will open the season with her new team at Barclays Center May 8. The Liberty are also scheduled to play a preseason game in Connecticut May 3. 

Meanwhile, Harrison, Sabally and Brondello aren’t scheduled to make their returns to Brooklyn until June 3.