The true battle for the 2026 season commences not with the first tip-off, but behind closed doors, where the collective bargaining agreement remains stubbornly unbound. The specter of a lockout looms, a chilling wind across the finely crafted plans laid by every franchise. Even if the league and the Player’s Association manage to forge a new covenant, the finer details demand close scrutiny, for they hold the power to reshape the competitive fabric entirely.
Consider the logistics of in-season player housing, a concern both intimate and enormous, touching the daily lives of these athletes in profound ways. Furthermore, the rumored adjustments to salary structures and the precise scheduling, including the potential date for the 2026 regular season commencement, define the foundation upon which the entire edifice of professional basketball will rest.
Amidst this structural uncertainty, the New York organization has experienced its own seismic shift in leadership.
Following the December introduction of Chris DeMarco as the new head coach, succeeding the departed Sandy Brondello after a rigorous two-month search, the focus turned immediately toward filling the vacant seats on the bench. Assistant coach Zach O’Brien, a valuable mind, chose to move westward, accepting an assistant coaching role with the Los Angeles Sparks. These three substantial voids—the head coach position and two key support roles—demand careful, strategic consideration, for the choices made here will irrevocably shape the direction of the DeMarco era.
DeMarco himself acknowledged the necessity of patience and precision when identifying his complement. “We're trying to identify the right people,” he confirmed, stressing the critical importance of selecting staff that fit their culture and goals. His methodical approach suggests a profound understanding: establishing a cohesive, trusted staff, perhaps drawing on past collaborations, takes precedence over swift, impulsive hires.
Liberty loyalists need not reserve their hours for the breathless anticipation of the 2026 WNBA Draft lottery.
The organization presently holds just one selection: the 41st pick overall, resting deep within the third round. This selection is unique not for its immediate impact, but for its potential as a distant, carefully managed asset. A player chosen at this stage is highly likely to be managed overseas, where development can be fostered without immediate roster pressure.
This strategy is an acknowledgment that high-impact talent is sought elsewhere; the third round represents a long-horizon investment, offering a future opportunity for a promising athlete to participate in training camp, perhaps years down the road, when the roster requires a fresh infusion of seasoned potential. The team builds upon the strength it possesses, viewing the draft’s late stages as a patient exercise in cultivation.
We have no clear indication if the league and player's association will be able to avoid a lockout and finalize a new collective bargaining ...Alternative viewpoints and findings: Check here
