May 8, 2025
Locked On Women’s Basketball: New York Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb explains how team can get even better
By The Next
New York Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb talks about the future of the team following its WNBA championship season
In the latest episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, New York Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb sat down with media members, including hosts Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell, to discuss the team’s trajectory following its championship season.
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Kolb spoke about the investment in the organization and its players by owners Clara Wu Tsai and Joe Tsai. In March, the team announced its intention to build a 75,000 square foot facility for the team to call home, beginning in 2027.
“The part of it that I think is incredibly special is the design elements from our players,” Kolb said. “I think that’s really important. I can sit up here all day and say, we’re going to have this type of tech and we’re gonna have this type of recovery and all of these spaces, it doesn’t matter. I’m not the one that’s really utilizing it. I’m just thankful to have a window. But for it to be designed by our players for their different needs, I think, is also going to help us future-proof this for the next iteration of Liberty roster. We want this to be incredibly sustainable and special for everybody that walks through those doors.”
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Kolb also discussed the composition of the Liberty’s roster, highlighting the addition of veteran point guard Natasha Cloud. The Liberty traded the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and a first-round pick in the 2026 draft to acquire Cloud from the Connecticut Sun.
Last season in Phoenix, Cloud averaged 11.5 points and 6.9 assists while playing upwards of 33 minutes per game. Cloud also saw upticks in shooting percentages from the field and beyond the arc. Most notably, Cloud was named to the WNBA’s All-Defense second team.
“Tash is here to help with our pace,” Kolb said. “She’s here to get into the paint and to help spread that ball out. And I think if you went and you looked at backcourt partner opportunities for Sabrina, there aren’t many better than Natasha Cloud. That’s how we see it, and I think that they already have that relationship built from Unrivaled. So we’ve kind of sped up that introduction process, and I think that will carry us far this year.”
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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.
