Imago
Oct 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Newly named head coach of the WNBA Golden State Valkyries, Natalie Nakase, waves to the crowd before the Golden State Warriors take on the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Imago
Oct 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Newly named head coach of the WNBA Golden State Valkyries, Natalie Nakase, waves to the crowd before the Golden State Warriors take on the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
The Golden State Valkyries have officially joined the league as the WNBA’s 13th franchise, making a splash with the first expansion draft since 2008. They’ve picked 11 players, including Kate Martin, and Temi Fagbenle, alongside 6 other international players to build their initial 2025 roster. Quite a start, right? But the Valkyries are not done yet.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Their general manager, Ohemaa Nyanin, has made some strategic moves that are turning heads. “We’re open for business,” Nyanin said after the draft. “We’re ready to talk to anyone who wants to join this journey. We’re really excited about the chance to bring in free agents and college athletes, and we want to stay flexible to get the best talent out there,” she added, finally able to relax for the night.
The Valkyries now have a second-league-high salary cap space of over $1.2 million, setting them up for an active free agency. They have currently exhausted $305,595 after signing three players, leaving them with the hefty sum. The team currently has contracts with Kayla Thornton, Stephanie Talbot, and Kate Martin.
Top Stories
Golden State just acquired all of three players who are currently under contract for 2025, at a total of $305,595. That leaves them $1,201,505 under the team salary cap, narrowly ahead of Connecticut for most space in the league (the Sun also have only 3 players signed). #WNBA
— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) December 7, 2024
Next up for Golden State is making qualifying offers in January to keep their rights to certain players. These offers are essentially contract options that allow players to sign if they want, though they aren’t guaranteed, except for the core offer likely being sent to Billings.
Now Valkyries are on the road to a competitive future.
Moving forward, the Valkyries’ focus will be on Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, and Alyssa Thomas, who are among the most coveted free agents on the market. Starting on January 21, teams will begin negotiating future deals with free agents, though contracts cannot be signed until February 1.
The Valkyries also have the No. 5 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. The hardest part has been done as the team has finally ended up with the current roster. If you’re thinking it’s like a normal draft, well, it isn’t, as Golden State wasn’t able to host players for workouts or interviews to get a better feel for them.
“I want them to understand the opportunity that they have to come and be historians. Once you get to put on that jersey and you get to sit in front of a packed Chase Center, your whole experience is going to change.” stated the General Manager.
Overall, Nyanin is happy with where the team started. She believes they have a “competitive” roster with players who want to win. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Shivatmika Manvi