With the expansion draft behind us, it’s time to take a fine-tooth-comb look at what the Golden State Valkyries want to be in Year 1. In a pre-draft interview, head coach Natalie Nakase said she wants competitive players who play with pace and can shoot threes. In exploring the team’s decisions, I will analyze why the player was chosen, what it means to how the Valkyries want to play, for free agency, and the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Atlanta Dream – Iliana Rupert
The Valkyries went for mobile players and Rupert’s mobile, 6’4” frame fits that mold well. Rupert didn’t play in the WNBA in 2024 to focus on the Paris Olympics. She hasn’t produced a ton in her two years in the league, but Nakase is familiar with her from her rookie season in Las Vegas in 2022. She might not return this season, but should she, Rupert can provide youth (she’s only 23) and size for the new franchise.
Chicago Sky – María Conde
This pick might have been an alternative to selecting someone else, which we likely will never know. I question whether Chicago cared much if they lost any of their UFAs, and the only player that would’ve been worth taking (Lindsay Allen) was likely protected. Expansion teams have some of the longest runways for gambles like this because the value lost from it not working out is nearly negligible.
While I think Conde could’ve produced to a degree in the WNBA, it certainly won’t be happening in 2025. Conde has expressed her priority is to play in Europe, despite putting up decent offensive numbers on her Czech team in EuroLeague that could translate to the W. This pick feels like a gamble that someday Conde may come to the league, but if she doesn’t, the marginal value lost to taking another player is minimal.
Connecticut Sun – Veronica Burton
Probably the most predicted and best choice the Valkyries could’ve made, Burton will be an anchor to the backcourt defense for the team this season. Her tenacious style and competitive energy are exactly the type of player Golden State needs to set the tone each game. While her offensive game hasn’t bloomed yet, Burton is still only 24 years old and can give Nakase a trusted vet to anchor her defensive system.
Dallas Wings – Carla Leite
This was a surprise. I expected Leite to be protected, so either Dallas had other protectees in mind or a deal was struck, but Golden State selected its share of international prospects. This might be long-term thinking but also recognizes talent where it lies. Leite is 20 years old and was selected ninth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Despite her age, she is one of the fiercest competitors in Europe. This season for Villeneuve, she is averaging 40.0 percent from deep, something Nakase will love whenever she’s ready to arrive in the States.
Indiana Fever – Temi Fagbenele
In our mock expansion draft, I had Fagbenele as a protected player for her rim running and interior play with Caitlin Clark. I’m not surprised she was left unprotected, but I am still a bit surprised that the Fever decided to let her go. It does feel like the Fever didn’t want another player to be taken given Fagbenele replaced NaLyssa Smith in the starting lineup mid-season last year.
Fagbenle is a terrific athlete with inconsistencies that could eventually be ironed out with good coaching. As mentioned, she is a terrific rim runner and can play and defend multiple positions on the floor. While she cannot shoot the three well, she can be another defensive anchor in what should be a difficult team to play against, even if they might not win many games in 2025.
Las Vegas Aces – Kate Martin
To this point, I’ve not been a big fan of Kate Martin’s. I felt she rode Caitlin Clark’s coattails too much and has been overvalued as a player. She only did some things in 2024 to prove me wrong. Taking her here, though, was a smart call. An immediate fan-favorite, Martin should help grow as a floor-spacer and hit corner threes left and right. Nakase clearly values spacers, even if they’re somewhat unproven. Martin should provide high basketball IQ, a motor, and floor spacing, all things Nakase covets.
Los Angeles Sparks – Stephanie Talbot
If healthy, Talbot is a solid veteran who too can shoot the three, hitting on a career 36.0 percent from distance. Talbot has also been around several teams in the league, so she will know quickly how to adjust to a new team. She can be the vocal veteran that helps establish a culture right away. She does come with a $125,00 salary cap hit, one that, given their other selections, the Valkyries can easily afford.
Minnesota Lynx – Cecilia Zandalesini
Another big who can shoot the three (sensing a pattern?), Zandalesini comes over from the Lynx after a productive season, her first since 2018. Last season, she hit on 44.3 percent of her threes. The ability to space the floor with size will be a welcomed addition and a clear playing style early in the inaugural season.
New York Liberty – Kayla Thornton
This is only a small surprise if Marinne Johannès wasn’t protected, but Thornton oozes all the things anyone would want in a basketball player. Tough, gritty, competitive, and a high-character type player who will unify the team in short order. She is the type of two-way player to set the tone for this team. She too can shoot from three, nailing 32.7 percent of her career attempts from deep.
Phoenix Mercury – Monique Billings
Another high-character vet, Billings will work with the other vets to set the culture quickly and effortlessly. It would be shocking to see any type of rift from this team in 2025, even if most of them will play together as the “band of misfits” moniker being on an expansion team. Billings is a well-respected quality player who contributes on both sides of the floor. This feels like the player you want to core and not let her get away in free agency before she has a chance to impact your team. The defensive front of Billings, Zandalasini, Fagbenle, and Thornton would be tough to counter.
Seattle Storm – PASS
Not too much to make of this as the Storm didn’t have much in the way of quality talent for the Valkyries to take.
Washington Mystics – Julie Vanloo
I love this pickup for the Valkyries. Vanloo proved in her first WNBA season that she could contribute, with her passing, scoring, and understanding of the game improving greatly as the season progressed. Another gritty but undersized guard with a big three-point shot, Vanloo is a basketball veteran and should be the glue to the locker room in Golden State.
What this means for free agency and the 2025 draft
I believe Golden State did about as well as they could have. Nakase set a style and identity for this team and selected players who fit. The team could use more scoring and could stand to add depth on the wings. A Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, or Kelsey Plum would be the high-end talent to target in free agency, or a Shatori Walker-Kimbrough-type player if they fish from the bargain bin. Given the amount of size they acquired, they might not need more from April’s draft, so depending on who they can acquire come free agency, they might be best off finding the best player available with the fifth overall pick.
All stats as of 12/6. Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of Her Hoop Stats and EuroBasket website.
