Although a lot of big moves have been made during this year's WNBA free agency, the experience isn't over yet — and there are still a lot of compelling athletes potentially looking for a new home in the league.
Right now the list of top free agents includes Chennedy Carter, Elena Delle Donne, Diana Taurasi, Crystal Dangerfield, and the Chicago Sky's Isabelle Harrison. Temi Fagbenle has restricted free agent status, and Breanna Stewart was cored by the Liberty (and seems unlikely to leave New York).
Harrison, who is currently playing in the fourth season of AU Pro Basketball in Nashville, Tennessee, could be a natural fit for the sixth woman role on the Golden State Valkyries — but it's not clear how happy the 6'3" forward would be if she's not locked in to a starting spot.
What Isabelle Harrison could bring to Golden State
Harrison was drafted as the No. 12 overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2015 WNBA Draft, but missed the season due to a torn ACL and made her league debut the following year. In 2017 she was moved to the San Antonio Stars, and Harrison joined the Dallas Wings in 2019.
Harrison joined the Sky ahead of the 2023 season, but missed most of it due to an ankle injury, so her first real season for the team was last year. She didn't exactly have the easiest season with the team, and in September expressed frustration with Sky fans who were angry she shared a report that indicated Caitlin Clark won Rookie of the Year — despite the fact that Harrison shared every award-related report that was released on social media after last season.
With that in mind, a new home in the WNBA could be exactly what Harrison is looking for. And though the 10-year vet might not like the sound of it, she could fill a crucial role that the Valkyries still need: the sixth woman spot.
The sixth woman is the player who can come off the bench at any point and jump into the game. The sixth woman can sometimes even be better than a starter; sometimes, her skills are best used when the right timing is an essential ingredient in a team's success. Just as recent Valkyries commit Tiffany Hayes found last year, operating as a team's sixth woman can also give an athlete room to grow where they need to.
Harrison does have some room from improvement (namely with her three pointers), and the Valkyries could more than give her that space — if she wants to take it.