On Friday, the New York Liberty agreed to re-sign guard Marine Johannes. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb explained the decision after the signing was announced, via the Liberty.
"It is a special opportunity to add Marine -- who believed in our vision since 2019 -- to a team once again competing for a title," Kolb said. "Marine's floor spacing and dynamic ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and others will add another dimension to our offense in 2025."
The Liberty have lost some players this offseason in free agency, but they have maintained their core for the most part. Johannes is set to help the core attempt to repeat as WNBA champions.
Of course, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu will lead New York once again. The Liberty feature an all-around talented team, however, and they will benefit from the extra depth.
Marine Johannes joining New York Liberty
Johannes made her WNBA debut with the Liberty back in 2019. After not playing in the WNBA in 2020 and 2021, Johannes returned for the 2022 campaign with New York. She spent 2022 and 2023 with the Liberty before not playing in the league in 2024.
In 2023, her most recent WNBA campaign, Johannes averaged 7.1 points per game while shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. She added 1.7 assists and 1.4 rebounds per outing across 18.9 minutes per outing. Overall, Johannes played in 35 games, starting five contests.
Although Johannes only played in 24 games (10 starts) in 2022, she recorded more minutes per outing (25.5). She also set a WNBA career-high with 10 points per game. Her 43.7 percent three-point shooting mark also set a career-high.
Johannes has shot 39.5 percent from deep for her entire career in the league. As the Liberty general manager mentioned, she will help the team space the floor. If Johannes can find the bottom of the net at a consistent rate, she could receive a respectable amount of playing time during the upcoming campaign.
It remains to be seen if the Liberty will make any other moves before the regular season. Either way, New York is going to have a realistic opportunity to earn a second consecutive championship this year. Repeating as champions is never a simple task, but the Liberty have serious WNBA Finals aspirations once again.
Perhaps Marine Johannes can help the team pursue another championship in 2025.