This WNBA trade deadline is not for the weak. Usually, there aren’t many in-season trades in the WNBA. However, this year, the Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith, Minnesota landed DiJonai Carrington, and the Mystics sent Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm. The latter move signals Seattle’s desire to find playoff success and the Mystics’ dedication to their rebuild.
The Mystics got veteran Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke (who has since been waived), and a 2026 first-round pick. With that, the Mystics will have three first-round picks again and a chance at a high lottery pick. Without Sykes, it is unlikely that the Mystics can still make the playoffs—or even want to. Sykes led the team in points and assists per game.
With the Mystics very likely out of the playoff picture, the Golden State Valkyries will have an easier path to realizing their ambitious goals for the season. They made it clear early on that they wanted to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Golden State has less competition for a playoff spot now
The Valkyries currently sit in eighth place with a 14-14 record. They are only half a game behind the Las Vegas Aces in seventh place and one game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks.
The top six of the playoff standings seem set already. It is difficult to imagine that the Lynx, Liberty, Dream, Mercury, Fever, or Storm will plummet significantly in the standings. That leaves two playoff spots. Before the Mystics moved on from Sykes, Washington, Golden State, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles were all competing for only two available playoff spots. With Kayla Thornton out, the Valkyries weren’t in the greatest position to come out on top and punch a ticket to the postseason.
With Washington bowing out of the playoff race, the Valkyries have less competition. Nevertheless, securing one of the final playoff spots won’t be easy. The Aces are desperate to make it to the postseason and currently lead the season series against the Valkyries 2-1. While the Sparks aren’t nearly as desperate as the Aces, they have been playing incredibly well lately and may tie the season series in the teams’ final meeting this weekend.
Making the playoffs would be a major accomplishment for the Valkyries
Expansion teams usually aren’t very good. This is often by design. Tanking and securing a high draft pick is a pretty simple way to get young talent with star potential to build around. The Valkyries elected a different strategy, building their roster around veteran role players and young players who already have some experience playing professionally in the WNBA or overseas.
Making the playoffs in the franchise’s inaugural season would have been a major accomplishment either way. Doing it without Kayla Thornton, the Valkyries’ first-ever All-Star, would be short of a miracle and should earn Natalie Nakase the Coach of the Year award.