The Golden State Valkyries will officially become the WNBA's 13th team when the 2025 season begins. On September 26, 2023, news broke that Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber had finalized plans to start the Valkyries in San Francisco, making it the next exciting moment in a rapidly growing and thriving league.
When a new team comes about in the WNBA, there are numerous factors that determine which players will end up on that expansion team's roster. On December 6, an expansion draft is set to occur, in which the Valkyries will have the ability to select players from the 12 already existing teams in the league.
So, what is preventing the league's newest team from going out and grabbing up three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson? Each organization will be required to select six players from their current roster that they deem untouchable and designate as "protected players." These players will become ineligible to be selected in the expansion draft.
After the conclusion of the draft, the Valkyries will be filling out their roster through adding free agents as well. WNBA free agency will begin in January, and players can begin signing new contracts on February 1, 2025. As Golden State looks to the future, these are three players that should be at the top of their priority list when free agency rolls around.
Kelsey Plum
This would obviously be nothing short of a massive addition for an expansion team like the Valkyries. While we do not know if Kelsey Plum desires to remain with the Las Vegas Aces or not, her impact would be phenomenal in San Francisco. Plum just finished up another fantastic season where she logged averages of 17.8 points and 4.2 assists. She remains a big producer, and is still only two years removed from the 2022 season where she finished top-three in MVP voting.
The process of getting Kelsey to Golden State would be a challenging one. The Aces will want to be wary of the possibility of losing Plum for nothing, and may opt to designate her as their core player for the free agency period. They would do this because although protecting Kelsey for the expansion draft prevents the Valkyries from acquiring her there, she could still then leave in free agency.
If the Aces do negotiate a new deal with her, Plum could still be dealt via trade, but this move would ensure Las Vegas got something in return.
DeWanna Bonner
Another player set to be available in 2025 free agency is DeWanna Bonner. The Valkyries could have their sights set on Bonner's talent for the sake of getting one highly tenured player that can still put up stat-stuffing performances on a nightly basis as well. Bolstering a new roster with a player that can boast this combination of talent and experience level would be a huge win.
For those unaware, Bonner began her career by winning three consecutive Sixth Woman of the Year awards. Since then, she has earned her way to two All-WNBA teams and six All-Star appearances, including in five of the last seven seasons. She would be a fantastic core piece for the Valkyries to begin creating winning habits with. It is important to note that the Connecticut Sun do not have the ability to designate Bonner as their core player for the free agency period.
Alyssa Thomas
Now, there is no question DeWanna Bonner remains a solid defensive talent, but her current teammate Alyssa Thomas takes the cake in that category. Another crucial cog in the Connecticut Sun's 28-12 season in 2024, Thomas will also become an unrestricted free agent during the winter of 2025.
Alyssa (or AT) has the ability to defend all five positions, and she is a complete game-changer on defense for any team she suits up for. She has been anchoring one of the best defenses in the WNBA, and she is one of the primary reasons the Sun reached at least the playoff semifinals for a fifth consecutive year this past season. Her three-time All-WNBA and six-time All-Defensive team selections speak for themselves, and the Valkyries will certainly do everything they can to sign Thomas.