Valkyries just saved the rest of the league from a season with only one outcome

Gabby Williams narrowed her options in free agency down to three teams: the Las Vegas Aces, the Minnesota Lynx, and the Golden State Valkyries. She settled on the latter, and the fact that she didn’t sign with the Aces should be a relief to every other team in the league—except the Lynx, of course. 

If Williams had signed with the Aces, they probably would have won another championship. Let’s face it, who would beat a team that has A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, AND Gabby Williams? Maybe the Liberty, but most likely no one. 

Williams going to the Valkyries doesn’t necessarily add another obvious contender to the mix, but it certainly makes a Valkyries team that already made the playoffs without an All-Star last season more dangerous. 

The Aces still look like a contender, but they have competition

With Wilson, Young, Gray, and Loyd all back with the Aces, they have a good chance of defending their 2025 title and adding another championship trophy to the growing collection. They didn’t need Gabby Williams to be a contender, but signing her would have turned them into an unfairly stacked team. 

This way, there are a few teams that look like they might have what it takes to dethrone the Aces. The Liberty, for example, added Satou Sabally to their 2024 championship core of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Leonie Fiebich. Atlanta traded for Angel Reese and retained Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Bri Jones, Jordin Canada, and Naz Hillmon. 

Moreover, the Sparks landed Nneka Ogwumike and added Ariel Atkins in a trade with the Sky. The Fever were able to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell to keep their big three together after last season’s surprise run to the semifinals. 

Dallas also made some interesting moves, re-signing Arike Ogunbowale and adding Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, which could make them a sneaky threat to one of the more high-profile teams in the playoffs.

The Lynx and Mercury, two of last season’s contenders, are big question marks. Both lost important pieces in free agency and are running out of options to replace them. 

Williams will be a fun addition to the Valkyries

Gabby Williams and the Valkyries are a match made in heaven. The organization obviously likes international talent. If Janelle Salaün and Illiana Rupert re-sign, Williams would be the third French player on the roster. 

The Valkyries also heavily rely on their stifling defense. Williams made the All-Defensive First Team in 2022 and 2025 and was named EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2025. 

Offensively, Williams gives the Valkyries a new go-to scorer after they struggled to put points on the board last season. Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton led the team in points per game last season, but both struggled with efficiency. Adding Williams to their team (assuming that Thornton will be back) will take pressure off both.