Breanna Stewart confirms she won’t commit to Liberty long-term, reveals reason behind decision: "I’m going to burn my core"

All-Star forward Breanna Stewart has dropped a major hint regarding her contract plans. The New York Liberty superstar is unwilling to commit her long-term future to the franchise.

Basketball fans in the Big Apple will be relieved the hear that Stewart plans to return to the Liberty for at least one more season, but the 30-year-old is keeping all her options open.

Stewart is on a one-year deal with the Liberty and is set to become a free agent before the 2025 season. She addressed her status and views on the core designation with USA Today journalist Meghan L. Hall.

"I am under a one-year, and I’m going to sign another one-year. Just so I can continue to have that kind of flexibility going forward ... But I don’t mind the one-years. I’m going to burn my core," said Stewart.

With regards to the "core" reference, WNBA teams are permitted to core players they feel are valuable to the franchise. Core players are eligible for a guaranteed max contract for one year.

There are certain conditions for teams using the core, though. Only one player on the roster per season can be placed under the tag. While a player is designated under the core, they can continue to negotiate a long-term contract with the franchise. After two years of using the core on a player, teams are not permitted to use it again on the same player.

Breanna Stewart was a core player last year for the Liberty as well, explaining why she's currently on a one-year deal. The highly rated two-time MVP is expecting to be under the same category next year, which perhaps explains her strategy to "burn my core."

The rapid growth of the league over the last few seasons is another reason Stewart may want to have some flexibility with her contract in the coming years. She spoke about a potential new WNBA television contract and how a lucrative new deal could change the landscape of women's basketball.

It's kind of hard to tell, because you don’t know obviously if we opt in or opt out, but with the potential from the new TV deal — how does everything play into effect. How long are things going to be lasting?" Stewart added.

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Breanna Stewart is aiming to guide the New York Liberty to their first WNBA championship this season

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (Photo Credit: Imagn_

Breanna Stewart moved to the Liberty in 2023. While the organization had plenty of success under her leadership, New York has yet to win a WNBA title. Stewart won championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020 and will hope to guide the Liberty to one this season.

The Liberty had a tremendous season as they find themselves in the midst of a tightly contested WNBA finals series with the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx took Game 1 of the series 95-93 in Brooklyn before a strong 21-point performance from Stewart leveled the series. Game 3 is set to be played on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

Since being founded in 1997, the be Liberty have reached the Finals five times but lost every time. Breanna Stewart will be desperate to snap the franchise's 27-year championship drought this year.