The Golden State Valkyries are here, and they’re not just looking to participate — they’re out to make waves. Come Friday, the WNBA’s newest franchise will embark on the daunting yet exhilarating task of constructing a team from scratch during the 2024 expansion draft. As chaotic as it sounds, this process is basically speed dating but with professional athletes: quick decisions, big stakes, and a lot of baggage involved.
A Bay Area Buzz
The Valkyries, announced with much fanfare last October, are set to call the Chase Center in San Francisco their home. It’s the same arena that hosts Steph Curry’s three-point parties for the Warriors. This is no coincidence; Golden State is leaning heavily into its basketball legacy to establish credibility in a league already rich with star power and rabid fan bases.
With more than 2,000 season ticket deposits in mere hours after their unveiling, it’s clear the Bay Area is ready for women’s basketball to take center stage. But there’s one little problem: The Valkyries currently have zero players. Zilch. Nada.
The Expansion Draft: A High-Stakes Game of Keep-Away
Here’s how the madness works: Each of the 12 current WNBA teams gets to protect six players from being plucked by the Valkyries. Everyone else? Fair game. Well, almost. There are some caveats, like only snagging one unrestricted free agent (sorry, no “shopping spree” vibes here), and dealing with cored players who can’t be re-cored — essentially the league’s version of a “no backsies” clause.
But here’s where it gets juicy. Teams like the Liberty and Lynx, with their glitzy rosters, will have to make some painful choices. Protect your starting five, sure, but what about that rising young star who might be just one season away from becoming the next big thing? It’s a Sophie’s Choice of basketball proportions.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries’ GM, Ohemaa Nyanin, and head coach, Natalie Nakase, will be playing a game of strategy and sleight of hand. Who to pick? Who to trade? And who might just be a one-season rental? The answers will start rolling in Friday night on ESPN.
Golden State’s Balancing Act
Picking 11 players sounds easy on paper — just grab the best ones, right? But the nuances of WNBA contracts and player dynamics make it more like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. Do you go for seasoned vets who can lead the team, or roll the dice on young talent with potential to grow? And let’s not forget the salary cap: even in fantasy team-building, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
One thing’s for sure: the Valkyries won’t be taking Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, or A’ja Wilson off anyone’s hands. Stars like them are securely tucked under the protective wing of their current teams. But fans in San Francisco can still dream of landing a sneaky steal from the unprotected list — because every expansion draft needs its “wait, they let them go?!” moment.
A History of Hits and Misses
WNBA expansion teams have a mixed track record. The Detroit Shock won the expansion jackpot in 1998, only to slump harder than post-Thanksgiving food comas for years before Bill Laimbeer resurrected them. The Minnesota Lynx? They took years to become the dynasty they are today, proving patience is more than a virtue — it’s a survival tactic.
On the flip side, some teams barely made it to the starting gate. The Miami Sol and Portland Fire? Gone faster than your favorite discontinued snack. The Orlando Miracle, meanwhile, were whisked off to Connecticut and rebranded as the Sun.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that building a team from scratch is as much about luck as it is about planning.
Buckle Up, WNBA Fans
So, what can Valkyries fans expect? Probably some growing pains. Maybe a few head-scratching moves. And undoubtedly, a ton of excitement. This isn’t just a draft — it’s a statement. Golden State is here, and they’re ready to shake up a league that’s already thriving.
Will they stumble out of the gate like the Atlanta Dream in 2008, or find their footing like the Seattle Storm did with Sue Bird in 2002? Only time — and a lot of late-night strategizing in the Bay Area — will tell.
One thing is clear: the Valkyries’ journey from zero to hero begins now. Buckle up, because the WNBA just got a whole lot spicier.
