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UPDATE: Mystics match Liberty offer sheet to Natasha Cloud

By Ben Dull

FAIRFAX, VA - SEPTEMBER 12: Natasha Cloud #9 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Seattle Storm during Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals on September 12, 2018 at Eaglebank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA - SEPTEMBER 12: Natasha Cloud #9 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Seattle Storm during Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals on September 12, 2018 at Eaglebank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mike Thibault ends the suspense quickly.

Just hours after restricted free agent Natasha Cloud signed a two-year offer sheet with the New York Liberty, per a report by Rachel Galligan, the Washington Mystics announced Cloud had re-signed with them.

League sources had told High Post Hoops to expect Washington head coach and general manager Mike Thibault to match the offer sheet in order to retain Cloud.

“Re-signing Natasha Cloud was a big priority for us this off-season,” Thibault said in a press release late Friday afternoon. “Her improvement in all phases of the game were a huge boost to our team last season, as witnessed by the number of votes she received for the Most Improved Player Award. She’s one of the top defensive wing players in the WNBA. Our faster tempo on the offensive end was due in large part to her pushing the ball hard up the court and finding teammates in transition. We are thrilled to have Natasha back in DC for the foreseeable future.”

Cloud started 72 games over the past four seasons with the Washington Mystics and started all nine 2018 postseason contests in the team’s run to the WNBA Finals.

Upon receiving notice of the signed offer sheet, the Mystics had four days to decide whether or not they will exercise their right to match the offer as inked with the Liberty.

They didn’t use them.

Cloud shot a career-best 38 percent from deep in the 2018 regular season. She was part of the starting lineup—Cloud, Kristi Toliver, Ariel Atkins, Elena Delle Donne, LaToya Sanders—that sparked a 9-2 finish to the regular season as the Mystics locked up the No. 3 seed and a first round bye.

More from New York Liberty

Per Positive Residual, that group outscored opponents by 26.1 points per 100 possessions in 97.5 minutes in that span.

The Liberty currently have three guards under contract, including 2018 first round pick Kia Nurse. Former All-Star and WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Sugar Rodgers signed a contract extension with the club in August per the WNBA’s website, and Bria Hartley is signed through next season.

New York designated Tina Charles as its core player once again this offseason. Second-year head coach Katie Smith will aim to get the team back to the postseason after finishing with the league’s second-worst record at 7-27.

The Liberty hold the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft. Our own Howard Megdal has the Liberty selecting Louisville shooting guard Asia Durr with the No. 2 pick in his latest WNBA mock draft big board.

The Mystics will welcome Emma Meesseman back to action this season after missing all of 2018 to fulfill her obligations to Team Belgium at and in preparation for the FIBA World Cup.

Four additional Washington players have also hit free agency. Sanders, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Krystal Thomas and Monique Currie are unrestricted free agents.

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