Door just swung wide open for Valkyries to land their first star

Seattle Storm v Dallas Wings
Seattle Storm v Dallas Wings | Sam Hodde/GettyImages

Two-time WNBA All-Star forward Satou Sabally is leaving the Dallas Wings — and she could become the major star the Valkyries need to add to the team's roster.

Despite a successful Expansion Draft, the Valkyries are still lacking a true superstar. All this could change if the team is interested in pursuing Sabally and bringing her to the Bay Area. Sabally made the announcement during media interviews for Unrivaled on Thursday.

"I’m working with [the Wings organization] to find a next home for me, because I’ve already played my last game in Dallas," she explained.

"And I’m just excited. I’m excited for free agency. I’m able to talk to a lot of players outside the league because I have not played on a different team yet and I’m excited to get to know them more on a personal level — but also knowing how they approach the game," she continued. "And I just love having basketball conversations and high level basketball IQ conversations about the game to I  know here I fit best in the future."

The Wings selected Sabally as the number two overall pick in the 2020 draft. She added that the team fought for her to stay at first. "I’ve already communicated with Dallas how grateful I am because they’ve made this home for me for the past years," she explained.

"So, there was always great communication and more on the agent front right now because I need to focus on Unrivaled and I will. So I’m trusting the people that I have on my staff and the front office… I have good communication with that."

The 26-year-old is one of the strongest power forwards in the league. Though she has had her fair share of injuries, including a torn Achilles, it's extremely likely she will be a major steal for any team interested in offering her a contract — and it's just as likely that several teams will want to.

The Valkyries are in an excellent position to make Sabally an offer. The team is entering free agency with the ability to offer up to four players the league maximum of $214,466, and would still have over $300,000 left over, which more than covers three potential rookie contracts.

The Bay Area team has a lot to consider before free agency begins January 11. Recent draftee María Conde, who is currently playing overseas in Czechia for USK Praha, suffered a leg injury during a EuroLeague game in Prague on Tuesday and is now out of the 2025 season completely. Though her EuroBasket commitments meant it was not entirely clear that Conde intended to play in the WNBA this season, her loss could impact who Coach Nakase and the Valkyries front office pursue.