It almost feels impossible that no team would want Natasha Cloud. She is a 10-year veteran guard who was once all-defensive first team and averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 assists with the New York Liberty last year. Murmurs have grown that her off-court presence and her activism played a part in her going unsigned this offseason. Now, the player herself has sent a message regarding her future. 

Annie Costabile reported that Cloud was not being blackballed due to her political stance. “Numerous teams have expressed interest in the veteran point guard,” Costabile wrote. However, Isabelle Harrison fired back with a comment that read, “this isn’t true.”  While that comment has since been deleted, it further muddied the ground regarding Cloud’s position in the league. Now, the guard herself sent a clear message committing to doing the work. 

“I have yet to speak,” Cloud wrote on Threads. “That’s intentional & my power. I’ve just worked. No sulking, no whining. Work. & I will continue to work as I always have. Proving myself right year after year after year. (11) to be exact. I know who I am. I know my value/worth. & ain’t nothing traditional.”

Ultimately, Cloud is a talented guard and many teams would be lucky to have her.  She has been practicing at her college, the Saint Joseph’s court. She could be holding out for a better offer than she got, as Jackie Powell suggested the problem was with her agents. According to the reporter, Cloud has changed agents two times this offseason and the condensed timeline has not helped her. 

“The mere fact that it is happening makes it harder to continue a process that was also sped up,” Powell said. “This is not a process that could start in January.” In addition, Cloud’s role is day by day gaining less traction. The guard is not particularly a good shooter, going 31.3% from beyond the arc. 

And teams in this day and age want a serviceable three-point shooter at guard. Her defensive prowess is still a highlight that could get her signed, but maybe it will not be a contract Cloud hoped it would be. Meanwhile, she has not stopped with her activism and committed to continue speaking up in what she believes. 

“I’ve given my heart to every team and community I’ve been part of, never fully knowing if the impact I hoped for was truly felt,” Cloud wrote. “In this moment, though, receiving so much love, support, and advocacy means everything.” While continuing to look for a team, New York Liberty GM has clarified the reason for not re-signing her. 

Liberty GM Denies Any Link Between Natasha Cloud’s Departure And Her Activism

The New York Liberty are heading in a new direction. And they are not taking Natasha Cloud with them. The Liberty re-signed their big 3 of Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, but they did not sign Cloud to complete that backcourt pairing. They are also shuffling coaches with Sandy Brondello leaving and Chris DeMarco coming in. Yet, Kolb has clarified that the decision to let Cloud go was not because of her activism.

“One of the ones that I’m most proud of is my relationship with Natasha. What she stands for is what I stand for. I believe in speaking up for the voiceless,” Jonathan Kolb said. “There is no better embodiment of that than Natasha Cloud, and she puts her life on the line every single day by saying what she believes. So I just want to get that out.”

So, was it fit? Cloud had one of her worst seasons as far as points, rebounds and assists are concerned. However, two of their best lineups last year included Cloud and her plus/minus of 3.1 was fifth on the team. Kolb further said it was more about timing than fit. 

“It was about our targets in free agency and the condensed nature where we can see how quickly things really move, but also it probably felt like they took a while too because when you’re in the dark on things and we’re pursuing other opportunities, it probably doesn’t feel good,” he said.

The Liberty have signed Satou Sabally in free agency, who is expected to be an upgrade over Cloud. Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists with Phoenix last year. With Liberty out of the picture, Cloud can still gain a role in the league.