Free agent forward Breanna Stewart is headed back to Seattle after signing a one year supermax deal to rejoin the Storm. The former league MVP will make $228K in 2022.
There was wide speculation that Stewart could be headed out east to join her hometown New York Liberty after meeting with front office officials for the team. However, news that teammate Sue Bird would be returning for what may be her last season in the WNBA proved to be too good to pass up.
The 28 year old was drafted #1 overall by the Storm out of UConn where she won 4 national championships as part of the storied Huskies program. Stewart injured her left foot down the stretch this past season and missed the final few regular season games as well as a playoff game in 2021.
Through 5 WNBA seasons, the All-Star forward has averaged 20pts/8.9reb/2.9blks per game. With both Bird and Stewart back in the fold, reports also indicate that guard Jewell Lloyd will also be returning for a 7th year with the Storm.
Seattle went 21-11 in 2021, however they stumbled down the stretch posting a 5-5 record over their final 10 games as injuries began to pile up. The team earned a first round bye, however fell to the Phoenix Mercury in the 2nd round 85-80 in OT.
The Storm will make their return to Seattle after playing parts of the last few seasons in Everett as construction on their new arena wrapped up. Stewart and Co. will make their debut in the new 18,100 seat Climate Pledge Arena, where the NHL’s Seattle Kraken currently call home, this season.
Seattle kicks off their 2022 WNBA season on Friday May 6th against the Minnesota Lynx.