Kaitlyn Chen is living in her very own basketball fairytale this season. The Golden State Valkyries drafted her in the third round in 2025. Like most third-round picks, Chen did not make an opening-day roster. She landed a contract with the Valkyries during the season, but didn’t play much. Chen then spent the offseason working on her game in EuroLeague and Athletes Unlimited—with staggering results.
A year after being waived for the first time, Chen made the Valkyries’ opening-day roster for the 2026 season and has been a steady part of the rotation as their backup point guard. If not for Janelle Salaün’s record-breaking season, Chen could have been in the running for Sixth Player of the Year. It has been a true breakout season for her, and the playoffs didn’t slow her down either.
Chen has been a steady postseason presence whenever Veronica Burton needs a rest. Her biggest game yet was Game 1 of the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces. Burton didn’t play great, so Nakase trusted Chen to play 22 minutes and close the game. Chen responded with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. She was also solid in her first finals game, recording 5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in just ten minutes.
Chen will be a reserved free agent after this season. While there are still plenty of big games left, she has done enough to earn herself a longer-term contract with the Valkyries. Cheap, capable backup point guards who fit the team’s culture as well as Chen aren’t easy to find. Neither are third-round picks who can steadily contribute in the playoffs.
Expansion teams will have their eyes on Chen in the future
Even if Chen secures a long-term deal with the Valkyries this offseason, her time with the franchise may come to an abrupt end. The WNBA has three more expansion teams coming—Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030—and those teams will be coming for Golden State’s depth.
The Valkyries have the best bench in the W, and, barring expansion draft trades to protect their depth, they will lose some of those players. Chen is proving that she can help a team win at the highest level, and that will only make her a more intriguing target for new expansion teams.
By the time the Cleveland Sirens are ready to build their first roster, the Valkyries will look very different than this year. They should have the chance to sign an MVP-level scorer in free agency with Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, or maybe even Kelsey Mitchell. Even if Chen continues to improve in Natalie Nakase’s system, the Valkyries simply may not be able to protect her in an expansion draft.
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