The Storm's decision to core Gabby Williams came as a surprise to many Tuesday. Williams can now sign a one-year contract at the league maximum of $294,244 but is not able to sign with another team as a free agent.
The move would have wide-ranging implications for the league as a whole, and the Valkyries could be impacted. Right now, the team has three players — Kate Martin, Kayla Thornton, and Stephanie Talbot — under contract, which means the rest of the team could end up elsewhere in the coming weeks. It also means the team has a lot of maneuvering room in terms of cap space and might be able to add both Williams and her Storm teammate Jewell Loyd to the roster.
Both Williams and Loyd have expressed unhappiness with the Storm, and in December Loyd formally requested a trade from the team. Williams has made it clear that she wants to make more money, a wish that the team appears to have granted by coring her in the first place.
Williams averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 in 12 games at a $76,525 salary for the Storm in 2024. In his reporting on the team's decision to core her, ESPN's Kevin Pelton made it clear that Williams was not surprised by the move. "Williams and her representatives were not surprised by Seattle’s decision to use the core designation on her and have been working closely with the Storm on determining her next steps," he wrote. He also reminded readers that last year Williams cited the team's decision not to core her earlier as a reason she chose to play for France in the Paris Olympic Games.
So what could this mean for the Golden State Valkyries? There's a path to take that would end in the team bringing on both Williams and Loyd on to its roster, adding both the former's defensive prowess and the latter's leadership ability. Despite being cored, Williams can still be traded, and the Valkyries are in a financial position to match the league maximum with plenty of funds left over.
The addition of either player would be a major boost for a franchise that still needs a verified star who can run the court efficiently and handle the weight of being the face of a brand new team — while also doing everything in their power to get to owner Joe Lacob's stated goal of a championship within five years. Bringing on both Williams and Loyd would ensure an already excited fan base will be seated, and the Valkyries will have the leadership they will need.