The Golden State Valkyries have everything except a roster, and their first step to add new players will be on Friday during the first WNBA Expansion Draft in 16 years. It will be interesting (to say the least) to see which players the Valkyries leave the expansion draft with.
Golden State fans and fans of the other 12 teams will tune into the can't-miss 30-minute event. Here's how fans can watch and information about how the expansion draft will work.
How to watch the Valkyries' WNBA expansion draft
The Valkyries expansion draft will air on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans looking for a streaming service can try fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial for new users.
Which players will the Valkyries be eligible to select?
The other 12 WNBA teams were allowed to protect up to six players, and the full list of unprotected players will not be made public. Teams had until Tuesday, Nov. 26, to submit their roster lists to the league.
How many players can the Valkyries select in the expansion draft?
Golden State can pick up to 12 players in the expansion draft.
How many players can the Valkyries select from each team?
Golden State can't select more than one player from each team.
Will the players the Valkyries select start the season in Golden State?
The Valkyries can make trades with the players they select, so there's no guarantee they'll start the season in Golden State. Also, if the team selects a player slated to enter free agency this winter, they'll have to negotiate a new contract with the player like any other team. There is a chance the player will sign with another team in free agency.
How many unrestricted free agents can the Valkyries select in the draft?
Golden State is allowed to select one player who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
When is the last time the WNBA had an expansion draft?
The WNBA last held an expansion draft in 2008 before the Atlanta Dream's inaugural season.
When will the Valkyries play their first-ever WNBA game?
Golden State will play its first-ever game at Chase Center in San Francisco against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. PT.