Written By Mauricio Segura // Image Created By: The Golden Bay Times Graphics Dept.
APR 6, 2026
The Golden State Valkyries entered April 3 knowing they were no longer the hunters of expansion talent, but the hunted. With the arrival of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, Golden State faced the same exposure that once built its own roster. The result was about as favorable as the front office could have hoped.
When the dust settled from the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft, only two Valkyries players were selected: guard Carla Leite, taken by Portland, and forward María Conde, selected by Toronto. That outcome confirmed what insiders expected in the days leading up to the draft, Golden State protected its most valuable contributors and emerged largely intact.
The players who effectively “survived” the draft tell the story of the franchise’s foundation. Headlined by breakout guard Veronica Burton, who developed into the team’s centerpiece during its inaugural season, the Valkyries retained a strong internal core that includes Cecilia Zandalasini, Kate Martin, Janelle Salaün, and Iliana Rupert. Burton in particular represents stability and upward trajectory, having evolved into a two-way force and leader on both ends of the floor. That core group, young, international, and versatile, remains the backbone of a team that shocked the league by reaching the playoffs in its first season.
With the expansion draft behind them, attention shifted immediately to a chaotic and historically significant free agency period. The Valkyries entered the offseason with a crowded list of internal decisions, including restricted, reserved, and unrestricted free agents. Among the most notable names were Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fágbénlé, and Monique Billings, all unrestricted and free to sign elsewhere, alongside restricted contributors like Burton and Zandalasini.
Golden State moved quickly to secure continuity where it mattered most. Burton was re-signed to a multiyear deal, ensuring that the team’s most improved and most productive player remains in place as the franchise builds forward. The organization also extended qualifying offers to several young contributors, including Salaün, Rupert, Laeticia Amihere, and Kaitlyn Chen, maintaining exclusive negotiating rights and keeping much of the developmental core in-house.
This approach reflects a clear front office philosophy under general manager Ohemaa Nyanin: preserve the chemistry and identity that fueled a historic inaugural season, then layer in targeted upgrades rather than overhaul the roster. The Valkyries are not rebuilding, they are refining.
The broader context of this offseason cannot be ignored. A dramatically increased salary cap under the new collective bargaining agreement has reshaped the league’s financial landscape, creating both opportunity and urgency. For Golden State, that means balancing retention with the flexibility to pursue outside talent if needed, particularly to replace depth lost in the expansion draft and any departures in free agency.
Looking ahead to the 2026 roster, the shape of the team is coming into focus. Burton anchors the backcourt, supported by returning guards like Martin and Chen. The wing rotation remains strong with Zandalasini and Salaün, while Rupert and Amihere provide size and versatility in the frontcourt. The Valkyries also hold multiple picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 13th, including the eighth overall selection, offering another avenue to inject young talent into an already promising group.
Expectations for the 2026 season are no longer modest. After finishing 23–21 and becoming the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut year, the Valkyries have shifted from novelty to legitimate contender status. The challenge now is not proving they belong, but proving they can take the next step.
That next step hinges on continuity, growth, and smart roster management. If Burton continues her upward trajectory and the young core matures as expected, Golden State will not just be competitive, they will be dangerous. The expansion draft could have fractured their momentum. Instead, it reinforced something more important: this team knows exactly who it is, and it is not starting over anytime soon.
