Next season, the WNBA will welcome its newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, who will begin play in 2025. This marks a significant expansion for the league, with the Valkyries joining the Bay Area sports scene before Portland and Toronto also enter the league in 2026. The franchise’s arrival presents an exciting opportunity, but also a logistical challenge: building a team from scratch. The Valkyries will start with no players on their roster, but on December 6, they will participate in the WNBA expansion draft to select their new roster of players.
The expansion draft is a critical event for the Valkyries, who will need to absorb players from the existing 12 teams in the league. Each current WNBA team can protect only six players, meaning they will be forced to leave several talented athletes unprotected. Golden State, with its new general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase, will use this opportunity to draft up to 11 players. Additionally, the Valkyries hold the No. 5 pick in next year’s draft, further helping them assemble a competitive team. The expansion draft will be broadcast live on ESPN at 6:30 PM ET.
Each team has the ability to protect six players, which will include core athletes and key performers. This system ensures that the heart of each team remains intact. However, teams will be left vulnerable, and a few will face greater losses than others. For instance, teams like the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx are expected to have a tough time protecting their top talent, especially younger players. The Lynx, in particular, could lose players like Diamond Miller or Alissa Pili, both of whom were high draft picks and are seen as critical pieces for the future.
While the Valkyries can select from any unprotected players, they are limited in their ability to recruit free agents. They are permitted to select only one unrestricted free agent from the entire pool of available players. Once drafted, the Valkyries can core this player to keep them on their roster for the following year, preventing the player from signing with another team. However, several players in the league are already ineligible for cored status, including prominent stars like Brittney Griner, Nneka Ogwumike, and Tina Charles. These players could still be drafted by the Valkyries but would likely leave the team after one season, meaning Golden State would need to think carefully before making such a selection.
The expansion draft presents a mixed bag for both the Valkyries and the other WNBA teams. On one hand, it provides an opportunity to bolster their rosters, while on the other, it leaves existing teams exposed to the risk of losing valuable players. Despite this, the expansion draft signals the growing success and expansion of the WNBA, which will see more players, coaches, and fans involved in the game. For Golden State, the task of building a team will be complicated, but they will have the chance to create a competitive squad with a strong foundation.
As for how the Valkyries will fare in their inaugural season, it’s difficult to predict. Expansion teams in the WNBA have had varied success. Some teams, like the Detroit Shock and Washington Mystics, experienced early struggles but eventually became championship contenders. The Mystics, for example, went through a rough start, finishing their first season with just three wins. However, they later reached the playoffs and became a dominant force in the league. Conversely, teams like the Orlando Miracle, which later relocated and became the Connecticut Sun, struggled to establish a lasting legacy.
Some expansion teams, like the Seattle Storm and Chicago Sky, were able to quickly turn their fortunes around. The Storm, in particular, found success early on after drafting Sue Bird in 2002, while the Sky found a turning point after selecting Elena Delle Donne in 2013. Similarly, the Atlanta Dream, who faced a rocky start, went on to become a playoff team in just their second year after selecting Angel McCoughtry.
Building a successful team in the WNBA requires a mix of smart drafting, player development, and a strong coaching staff. With Nakase’s leadership and the chance to build a team with a mix of young talent and seasoned veterans, the Valkyries have the opportunity to quickly establish themselves as a competitive force. However, the road ahead will be tough, especially with two other teams joining the league in 2026. Nevertheless, the expansion draft represents a thrilling new chapter for the WNBA and for the Golden State Valkyries, as they look to craft a team capable of competing at the highest level.
