As it stands, the Valkyries currently own the rights to 11 players, including a handful who have yet to ever play on a WNBA court. Of that roster, only three players — Kate Martin, Stephanie Talbot, and Kayla Thornton — are signed for next season, which gives the team the largest remaining cap space in the league, $1.2 million.
The possibilities for the Valkyries are pretty intriguing. With that much money, the team could bring in up to four players at the league max salary 214,466 and still have just over $342,000 to spend on player salaries. After paying out $78,831 to the number 5 overall pick next year, that gives the team 8 members of a final roster and just over $263,000 to play with.
Of course, most free agents are likely to only sign for the 2025 season since the WNBPA is renegotiating a new CBA with the WNBA the following year, and the 2026 off-season will be a wild ride in which nearly every veteran player is a free agent.
The Valkyries have a couple of paths they could walk as they build a roster of players who can make an impact in the team's first few years.
Trade options heading into the 2025 season
Kelsey Plum
As Aces fans are undoubtedly aware, veteran Kelsey Plum didn't sign a contract extension before the 2024 season, though the other members of the team's "Core Four" (A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray) did. Though there's been no direct news alluding to the idea that Plum might want to leave Las Vegas, a shift to the Bay Area could be a good change for her personally and professionally.
But the Aces would never let Plum leave outright — it's far more likely any other team would have to bring a lot to the table to sway her and to sway the Aces, and a number 5 overall pick isn't enough. The Valkyries could potentially offer a few of the team's recent draftees or future draft picks in years to come — or might have another idea up their sleeve.
Personally, Plum has always praised former teammate Kate Martin and Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase, so the swap could work. Maybe the California native just wants to be back home.
Jewell Loyd
Loyd has already requested a trade away from the Seattle Storm, but similarly is a high-demand player and teams will need to bring a lot to the bargaining table if they're hoping to add her to their roster. Loyd has another year left in her super max contract with Seattle so she'd be expensive, but with their cap space it's entirely possible the Valkyries could attempt to add her to the team.
How 2026 free agency could be influencing the Valkyries front office now
The upcoming period of free agency in 2026 is likely weighing on the minds of the Valkyries' front office now in 2024 — and it probably should be. Though the team has said repeatedly they want to be competitive from the beginning, expansion teams can struggle to find their footing in their inaugural season.
This means the Valkyries could take their second year as a time to regroup and reshuffle the entire roster. If the team doesn't have a great season they'll likely have a high draft pick heading into the 2026 draft as well, which only lends support to the idea that year two might be whe we really start to see the Valkyries come together.