The Golden State Valkyries have formally joined the league because the WNBA’s thirteenth franchise, making a splash with the primary growth draft since 2008. They’ve picked 11 gamers, together with Kate Martin, and Temi Fagbenle, alongside 6 different worldwide gamers to construct their preliminary 2025 roster. Fairly a begin, proper? However the Valkyries usually are not executed but.
Their normal supervisor, Ohemaa Nyanin, has made some strategic strikes which are turning heads. “We’re open for enterprise,” Nyanin stated after the draft. “We’re prepared to speak to anybody who desires to hitch this journey. We’re actually excited concerning the likelihood to herald free brokers and faculty athletes, and we wish to keep versatile to get one of the best expertise on the market,” she added, lastly capable of loosen up for the evening.
The Valkyries now have a second-league-high wage cap house of over $1.2 million, setting them up for an energetic free company. They’ve at present exhausted $305,595 after signing three gamers, leaving them with the hefty sum. The group at present has contracts with Kayla Thornton, Stephanie Talbot, and Kate Martin.
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Golden State simply acquired all of three gamers who’re at present beneath contract for 2025, at a complete of $305,595. That leaves them $1,201,505 beneath the group wage cap, narrowly forward of Connecticut for many house within the league (the Solar even have solely 3 gamers signed). #WNBA
— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) December 7, 2024
Subsequent up for Golden State is making qualifying affords in January to maintain their rights to sure gamers. These affords are primarily contract choices that permit gamers to signal if they need, although they aren’t assured, apart from the core supply possible being despatched to Billings.
Now Valkyries are on the street to a aggressive future.
Transferring ahead, the Valkyries’ focus will probably be on Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, and Alyssa Thomas, who’re among the many most coveted free brokers in the marketplace. Beginning on January 21, groups will start negotiating future offers with free brokers, although contracts can’t be signed till February 1.
The Valkyries even have the No. 5 decide within the 2025 WNBA draft. The toughest half has been executed because the group has lastly ended up with the present roster. When you’re pondering it’s like a traditional draft, nicely, it isn’t, as Golden State wasn’t capable of host gamers for exercises or interviews to get a greater really feel for them.
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“I would like them to grasp the chance that they’ve to come back and be historians. When you get to placed on that jersey and also you get to take a seat in entrance of a packed Chase Middle, your complete expertise goes to alter.” acknowledged the Normal Supervisor.
Overall, Nyanin is happy with where the team started. She believes they’ve a “aggressive” roster with gamers who wish to win. What do you suppose? Inform us within the feedback beneath!
