This WNBA offseason saw a lot of players and stars change teams. Free agency and the trade market were busy. Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd were traded from the Aces and Storm in a massive three-team deal, Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones left their teams to sign with the Atlanta Dream, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas came to the Mercury, DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard signed with the Indiana Fever, Courtney Vandersloot returned to Chicago, and Tiffany Hayes left the Aces to sign with the Golden State Valkyries.
Aside from signing Hayes, the Valkyries were not involved in any of the major offseason moves. They couldn’t attract a big-time star and made no significant trades. Nevertheless, it currently looks like the Valkyries got the steal of free agency by signing Janelle Salaün.
The French rookie is off to a hot start, likely making several teams regret not adding her to the roster in free agency. If she can continue to play well, Salaün should officially be considered the biggest steal of free agency.
Janelle Salaün is putting the league on notice
Janelle Salaün had to miss training camp and the Valkyries’ season opener because her season in Italy ran long. While she was still playing with Famila Schio, Salaün helped her team to a championship and won Finals MVP. She joined the Valkyries in top shape and ready to compete for the Rookie of the Year award.
Salaün is currently the Valkyries’ leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and one steal per game. In her first four games with the team, Salaün scored double-digits three times and already recorded a double-double. Her only game with fewer than ten points was her first matchup against the New York Liberty. That game contained a few welcome-to-the-WNBA moments for Salaün but she quickly bounced back, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the rematch.
Salaün is showing no signs of slowing down and should have several more big games to solidify her standing as the biggest steal of free agency.
The Valkyries landed a future star
So far, everything Salaün has done with the Valkyries suggests that she is a young star in the making and a potential building block for Golden State. Salaün has all the tools to put together a great WNBA career. She is tall and athletic, can defend multiple positions, and has a versatile offensive game. If developed correctly, she could become a multi-time All-Star.
Between Salaün, Carla Leite, and Veronica Burton, the Valkyries have a great young core that will only look better when Juste Jocyte joins the team next year.