Imagine waiting nearly three decades for your favorite team to finally hoist a championship trophy. That’s the reality for fans of the New York Liberty, one of the WNBA’s original franchises, who celebrated their first-ever title in 2024. But here’s where it gets controversial: the architect of this triumph, General Manager Jonathan Kolb, made some jaw-dropping moves that left fans and analysts scratching their heads—and not all of them were popular at the time. With the backing of progressive owners Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, Kolb’s bold decisions transformed the Liberty into a powerhouse, but not without sparking debate along the way.
Let’s dive into the pivotal moments of Kolb’s tenure since his arrival in March 2019, and explore how he reshaped the Liberty’s destiny—sometimes in ways that defied expectations.
THE SHOCKING COACHING CHANGE
Perhaps the most head-scratching move came when Kolb fired head coach Sandy Brondello just eleven months and three days before she led the team to their historic championship. Brondello’s Liberty had just clinched the title in a thrilling WNBA Finals series against the Minnesota Lynx, capped by an overtime Game 5 victory. And this is the part most people miss: despite the triumph, Kolb cited the need to stay modern in an ever-evolving league as the reason for her dismissal. The decision sent shockwaves through the WNBA, especially since multiple players had publicly supported Brondello after their first-round postseason exit the previous year. Kolb’s two-month search culminated in the hiring of Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco—a move that left many wondering if the risk would pay off.
THE 2023 WINTER TRANSFORMATION
The Liberty’s status as a superteam was cemented during the 2023 offseason, thanks to Kolb’s aggressive roster moves. The free-agent signings of Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, coupled with the acquisition of Jonquel Jones in a three-team trade, turned heads across the league. These additions joined an already star-studded roster featuring Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. The result? A franchise-best 32-8 record, led by Stewart’s second MVP award. Yet, the fairy tale season ended in heartbreak with a 3-1 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals. But here’s the question: Was this superteam assembly a stroke of genius or a gamble that fell just short?
UNCOVERING HIDDEN GEMS
While blockbuster deals grab headlines, it’s often the under-the-radar moves that build a championship-caliber team. Take Kayla Thornton, for example. Initially seen as a throw-in during the Jonquel Jones trade, Thornton became a versatile bench contributor, playing all 40 regular-season games in 2023 and stepping up as a starter in 2024 during injury crises. Her three-point shooting reached new heights (35.7%), but her journey took an unexpected turn when she was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2024 expansion draft. There, she flourished with career-best numbers—14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game—before a season-ending knee injury cut her All-Star season short. Was Thornton’s departure a missed opportunity for the Liberty, or an inevitable consequence of expansion?
Another hidden gem was Leonie Fiebich, who arrived in New York as part of a four-team trade involving Michaela Onyenwere and Diamond DeShields. Initially stashed overseas by the Chicago Sky, Fiebich emerged as a defensive stalwart with a reliable three-point shot (over 40%). Her impact in Brondello’s system was undeniable, and she’s expected to play a key role under DeMarco as well. But here’s the debate: Are these under-the-radar players the real backbone of a championship team, or just fortunate additions to an already stacked roster?
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Kolb’s tenure with the Liberty has been a masterclass in risk-taking and roster construction. From firing a championship-winning coach to assembling a superteam and uncovering hidden talent, his moves have been both daring and divisive. But here’s the ultimate question: Did Jonathan Kolb simply get lucky, or is he a visionary who reshaped the Liberty’s future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take on these bold decisions!
