The Valkyries’ fairytale season ended with a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx. So, it’s time for the Valkyries to focus on the offseason. This year’s offseason is full of uncertainty. There is still no new CBA, which means there are also no dates or rules for the expansion drafts for the Tempo and Fire. Even a work stoppage is still in the cards.
Despite all that uncertainty, some of the Valkyries’ offseason priorities should already be crystal clear. Only two players are under contract with the Valkyries in 2026: Carla Leite and Kate Martin, who are still on their rookie contracts. Everyone else is either an unrestricted, restricted, or a reserved free agent.
So, the Valkyries’ first priority should be to make sure that they can retain as many players as possible, but especially their most important players—Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton, and Janelle Salaün. Cecilia Zandalasini, who was the Valkyries’ go-to scorer in the playoffs, can also be added to that list. On top of that, the Valkyries will need to chase some stars.
The Valkyries need to retain their best players
Re-signing Kayla Thornton should be a no-brainer for the Valkyries. She was the team’s lone All-Star and leader before she suffered a season-ending knee injury. Thornton will probably draw a lot of attention in free agency, but chances are she wants to return to the team that allowed her to take her game to the next level.
Veronica Burton also flourished with the Valkyries. Natalie Nakase handed her the keys to the team’s offense, and Burton delivered. She averaged career highs all across the board, was named Most improved Player, and quickly became the heartbeat of the Valkyries’ offense. Bringing her back will be key to maintaining the same culture that allowed the Valkyries to thrive this season.
After Burton and Thornton, rookie Janelle Salaün was one of the most productive two-way players for the Valkyries. The French rookie averaged 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists during the regular season, and also wasn’t fazed by her WNBA playoff debut. She totalled 27 points and 10 rebounds over her first two playoff games. Salaün also looks like the youngster with the highest ceiling on the Valkyries’ current roster.
Other players, like Temi Fagbenle and Cecilia Zandalasini, also played key roles in the Valkyries’ success, and the front office will likely try to keep as many of them around as possible. However, there will have to be some priorities considering the unprecedented movement we may see this offseason.
The Valkyries need stars to fulfill their five-year plan
The Valkyries’ success story of winning with a roster full of sixth women and players who had been cut from their previous teams was heartwarming and endearing. However, the Valkyries still want to win a championship within the next few years. They will need stars to do that.
With the season the Valkyries just had and the ownership’s willingness to invest in its players, Golden State should be a desirable free-agency destination just in time for most veterans to hit unrestricted free agency.