Fans of the Golden State Valkyries breathed a sigh of relief after the team announced Tiffany Hayes had signed a one-year deal to remain in the Bay Area for the 2026 WNBA season. Hayes is a fan favorite who is often described as the heart of the team, and she's also entering into what is likely the final phase of her career.
But that doesn't mean that Hayes isn't completely finished, or that she will even definitely end her career in Golden State. While she has embraced the city right back, a one-year deal opens up the possiblity that she could end up elsewhere down the road.
Admittedly, the Valkyries are likely to do everything they can to keep her around. While speaking to reporters during training camp this week, Hayes explained that making the decision to stay with Golden State was an easy process, and that "everything here" informed that choice.
The "everything" in questions includes the team's practice facilities and the support provided from the front office, but it likely also includes the friendship and camraderie Hayes and the rest of the roster built last season. The Valkyries decimated the expectatations that many had of the team, the first to join the WNBA since the Atlanta Dream. Golden State went on to make it to the playoffs, a nearly unheard of feat for an expansion team, and Natalie Nakase was named Coach of the Year.
Golden State is focused on leading "with caring about the players first," Hayes said. "That was amazing. And also, for me personally, I love the recovery here. They make sure everybody gets taken care of."
Tiffany Hayes has had an incredible WNBA career
Hayes, who spent her collegiate career playing for the UConn Huskies, was drafted by the Atlanta Dream as the second pick in the second round of the 2012 WNBA Draft. She has more than proven that being drafted in the second round doesn't necessarily mean anything in terms of career longevity, and has been thoroughly celebrated and toasted for everything she's brought to the floor for Golden State.
Hayes has often spent most of her career playing overseas, and most recently returned this year from playing for Çukurova Basketbol. It's unclear if that's a decision she'll continue to make after this season; her one-year deal with the Valkyries is for $600,000, and Hayes might also find herself playing in Unrivaled or Athletes Unlimited if she opts against going back overseas.
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