Wednesday night the WNBA internet was abuzz with news that Jewell Loyd has requested a trade from the Seattle Storm — especially since the story came only two days before the Expansion Draft on Friday.
The update was shared by multiple accounts on social media, including HighlightHER, who shared the news on Instagram and credited their source as journalist Annie Costabile. Plenty of fans were quick to comment where they'd love to see Loyd next, and some pointed out that this could raise the possibility that she could join the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco.
The idea of Loyd joining the Valkyries makes sense in a lot of ways. Loyd has one year left in her supermax contract with the Storm, but in light of the team's lawsuit against their coaches, it's understandable that she might want to leave early.
With that in mind, it's absolutely possible that Loyd, the Valkyries, and the Storm have worked out a plan of sorts: if the Storm don't protect Loyd, the Valkyries are free to select her at the Expansion Draft, and the Storm can retain the rest of their players worry-free. It's unlikely the Storm wouldn't make such a move without receiving a trade benefit on their end (perhaps that number 5 draft pick in 2025), but a player like Loyd might be worth it.
It's also entirely possible Loyd could go to any other team in the league — and they would all be lucky to have her. She didn't have the strongest 2024 season but has more than proven herself on the court.
Loyd has so far stayed quiet on the topic, though she did share a set of photos on Instagram around the same time the rumors were shared online. The final slide was a screenshot of a quote from former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: "Remain true to your principles and strive for simplicity."
Where Loyd ends up for the 2025 season is anyone's bet, but there are certainly a lot of people who would love to see her call San Francisco home.