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2 players Golden State Valkyries should select in expansion draft

Who will the Valkyries draft?

By Joey Mistretta

Sep 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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The Golden State Valkyries' expansion draft is right around the corner. Every team in the WNBA can protect up to six players. Golden State can select one unprotected player from each team. So who should the Valkyries draft?

The Valkyries need to approach the draft with balance. They should select some players with proven track records. An element of reliability will be especially important for the new WNBA franchise. Taking a chance on some less-proven players with high ceilings will be worth the risk, though.

Will the Valkyries select any potential superstars in the draft? The chances are slim, but anything is possible.

With all of that being said, here are two players the Valkyries should consider selecting in the expansion draft.

Veronica Burton

Veronica Burton, 24, has played at the WNBA level since 2022. She made her WNBA debut with the Dallas Wings. Burton spent 2022 and 2023 in Dallas before joining the Connecticut Sun in 2024. Her career-high points per game is just 3.1, but Burton also has not averaged more than 15.2 points per outing in any season of her WNBA career.

Perhaps that will change if she is selected by Golden State.

Burton would instantly become one of the Valkyries best players. She would receive a respectable amount of playing time as a result. Burton may be able to take the next step forward in her career with the Valkyries.

There is some risk in drafting Burton since her career WNBA numbers do not exactly stand out, but her ceiling makes the risk worth it.

Damiris Dantas

We already discussed a young player with intriguing potential, so let's go in a different direction for the second player. Damiris Dantas is a 32-year-old forward who has played in the WNBA since 2014. She features a proven track record and would offer the aforementioned element of reliability for Golden State.

Dantas spent the 2024 season with the Indiana Fever. She played an impactful role for Indiana while coming off the bench. For her career, Dantas has averaged 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

She is a player who can also shoot the three-ball at a respectable rate, holding a career 34.5 three-point percentage. Dantas would help the Valkyries with her play and veteran leadership.

The Golden State Valkyries should certainly consider selecting both Veronia Burton and Damiris Dantas in the upcoming WNBA expansion draft.

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