The Golden State Valkyries have made a few decisions this offseason, leaving fans perplexed. The Flau’jae Johnson draft trade was for practically nothing since they waived her replacement, Marta Suarez. None of their 2026 draftees made the first team. The Valkyries only added to that scrutiny after waiving fan favorite Kate Martin. However, 23 hours after that decision coach Natalie Nakase has revealed the reason behind the call. 

“Kate Martin was our family member, someone we cared deeply about and still care deeply about.” Nakase started. Martin was picked in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft ahead of its first season in 2025 after spending her rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces. As a former Caitlin Clark teammate and Hawkeye, she helped garner fans with her popularity. However, for Natalie Nakase the on-court balance and performance came first. 

“With that said, it was obviously very hard because we’re trying to construct the best team,” Nakase said before the Seattle game. “For us, there were a lot of emotions. What I’m learning through being a head coach is you have to let your players sit in their emotions. You have to let them feel it. You can’t just blow things off. I’m learning that’s probably the best way we can continue moving on, allowing them to feel that. We did that yesterday.”

Martin had still shown plenty of promise. She started in the team’s 78-76 preseason win against the Storm, scoring 8 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes. She averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds last year. However, it came down to three players: Kaitlyn Chen, Martin and Laeticia Amihere. 

Chen is the only point guard on the roster behind Veronica Burton, which pushed her ahead. In addition, she is also the first WNBA player of Asian descent, bringing her own set of fans to the Golden State fandom. Amihere likely earned the nod because of Iliana Rupert’s pregnancy. With Rupert out, they have a major hole in the front court with only Kiah Stokes left as a Center. 

In addition, with Gabby Williams, Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes, the shooting guard position was already too crowded. Martin also suffered a Grade 2 quad strain and could miss some time. She could be back in a Valkyrie shirt on a development contract. But it will be a step down. Considering her talent, Martin could find a roster spot on another team. For the Valkyries, the decision immediately bore fruit as Kaitlyn Chen showed why she was chosen above Martin in this roster. 

Natalie Nakase Reveals Secret Behind Kaitlyn Chen’s Improvement After Career High Game

Kaitlyn Chen was at the top of the list for probable players who could be cut from this Golden State Valkyries team. Many criticized the franchise for choosing Chen over Martin. Largely because Chen averaged 2 points and an assist in 10 minutes per game in the WNBA last year. And at 5-9, she is considered an undersized guard for the WNBA. However, silencing all the haters, Chen decided to make a statement on the opening day.

Going up against the Seattle Storm, Chen dropped a career high 14 points and 2 assists from the bench while shooting 5-10 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the arc. Last season her best display was 10 points and 2 assists against Chicago. In this game she showed a lot more poise and even went head-to-head against a 6’6 Dominique Malonga in the paint. 

“She’s been working, and that’s credit to her in the offseason, putting in the extra time,” Natalie Nakase said (via Matt Lively). “She came to the Bay for a couple weeks to work on her game after she went overseas and played with Jan, which actually helped a lot because they said they worked on specific things over there.”

Janelle Salaun and Chen played with each other at USK Praha in the Czech Republic. Chen impressed with her international and AU performances. At Praha, she averaged 7.6 points and 4.6 assists in the domestic league and 5 points and 2.4 assists in the EuroLeague. Her real improvement came in the AU league, where Chen averaged 14.8 points and 4.6 assists per game. 

“Her ability to score on all three levels is what stood out. You saw her playing AU, she just took over games,” Nakase said. “It was really nice to see that carry over now in the W.” If she continues to play at this level, the decision to choose Chen over Martin might pay off.