The first big domino of the WNBA offseason has fallen. A three-team trade sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, and the second overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to the Seattle Storm. It was a solid deal all around.
The Sparks got an All-Star guard to play with their recent first-round picks, Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. The Las Vegas Aces got a veteran scoring guard to help them contend for a title again. Last but not least, the Storm turned someone who did not want to play for them anymore into the chance to land a young star in the making.
However, other teams in the league that were interested in either Plum or Loyd lost out on the chance to add a star. One of those teams are the Golden State Valkyries. While there was no reporting directly connecting the Valkyries to Plum, many fans had wished for her to end up in Golden State.
The Valkyries still need a star and someone who can be the face of the franchise in its early stages. Even with Plum and Loyd off the table, the Valkyries have plenty of options worth considering.
Alyssa Thomas (and DeWanna Bonner)
Alyssa Thomas is another name that has frequently been connected to the Valkyries—mostly based on rumors and fans’ wishes. Thomas was cored by the Sun but could still request a trade and be on her way out. Her recent comments about the Sun being behind in terms of facilities and player comfort certainly suggest that she is not happy with her current situation. Especially after playing in Unrivaled, Thomas may yearn for a team that can offer her all of the luxury she experienced in Miami.
The Golden State Valkyries could be that team, and Thomas could be their first superstar. Thomas has been one of the top candidates for the MVP award for several seasons now. Getting someone like her to come to Golden State would be a huge win for the Valkyries in their very first season. It may even bring DeWanna Bonner to the Bay Area as well if the two want to play on the same team and the Valkyries want to pay two stars. Otherwise, the Valkyries could also just pursue Bonner, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Bonner was an All-Star last season and, even at 37, she is one of the best forwards in the league. She could give the Valkyries veteran experience as well as star power.
Satou Sabally
Other than Jewell Loyd, Satou Sabally is the only star who outright requested a trade. She already announced that she has played her last game with the Dallas Wings and wants to join a new team. Unlike Loyd, Sabally has not given a preferred trade destination yet, but the New York Liberty are expected to be one of the teams on her list since her sister and her former college and current Unrivaled teammate Sabrina Ionescu play there.
The Valkyries could make a play for the forward as well, even if it would not be as safe of a bet as chasing Alyssa Thomas. While Thomas has been incredibly healthy for a few seasons now, Sabally has only played 97 games over five WNBA seasons. When healthy, she is one of the top players in the league, though.
Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner may not be in her prime anymore, but she is still a really good player and one of the few other stars who can be expected to be available this offseason. She has already said that, for the first time in her career, she will explore free agency. While that does not necessarily mean that she wants to leave Phoenix, it means that she will consider other options.
The Valkyries could be one of those options. If Nneka Ogwumike returns to the Seattle Storm—there has been no indication so far that she won’t re-sign with the Storm—Griner is one of the best bigs left on the free agency market and, as a ten-time All-Star, would draw plenty of eyes to the Valkyries.
Courtney Vandersloot
After seeing her role diminished during the Liberty’s championship run, Courtney Vandersloot is looking for other options in free agency. So far, she has said that she would like to be free to create offense to the best of her abilities, be valued by her team, and compete. The Valkyries could give her the first two.
A new franchise would undoubtedly value Vandersloot’s veteran experience and leadership as well as her playmaking skills on the court. At 35, Vandersloot is not the same player she used to be anymore, but she was just an All-Star in 2023 and can still be one of the better point guards in the league. With a bigger role, her production would likely look much better than in the 2024 season.