The Golden State Valkyries have selected Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton in their expansion draft, per Sabreena Merchant and Marcus Thompson II of the Athletic. The Las Vegas Aces rookie and New York Liberty veteran will both be headed to the Bay as part of the inaugural team on the WNBA’s 15th team.
Neither selection comes as a massive shock. SB Nation’s official expansion draft predictions had Golden State selecting Kayla Thornton. The versatile veteran is a proven playoff contributor and a reliable shooter, but the Liberty had to protect Nyara Sabally after her postseason surge.
Kate Martin could have easily been on the protected list, but the Aces went in a different direction, ultimately leaving her unprotected. Martin didn’t play much in her rookie season once the Aces rotation was whole, but she showed flashes of potential during the season.
Martin appeared in 34 games, averaging 2.6 points in 11.5 minutes a night. Her teammates were impressed by her quick instincts and how quickly she adjusted to life as a professional.
“Kate Martin is awesome. Kate Martin picks up things so quickly, she’s an amazing sponge,” Kelsey Plum said in May. “I think Becky nicknamed her Kate ‘Money’ Martin. I think that’s gonna stick.”
Martin fell out of the rotation in the second half of the season, her minutes taking a dip after Chelsea Gray returned from her early-season absence. While she was a fan favorite in Las Vegas — and was regularly lauded for her effort and seamless integration — she ultimately wasn’t one of the Aces’ rotation players when they were whole.
Ultimately, her fit in Golden State makes perfect sense for a couple of reasons:
Kate Martin’s developmental timeline likely aligns better with Golden State
The Aces are a veteran team, and their championship window is now. Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson is in her prime at 28 years old, while several of the Aces’ rotation players from 2024 are in the latter portion of their careers, including Tiffany Hayes (35), Sydney Colson (35), and Kelsey Plum (30). It’s not that the team’s championship window is closing — but if the Aces were between protecting a more veteran player and Martin, it’s understandable why they opted to let one of their intriguing young pieces walk.
Though she was often praised for her emotional maturity, Martin is still fresh off of her rookie season. Like most WNBA players, it will probably be a few years until she is a reliable playoff contributor. The Valkyries’ roster will likely be younger than the Aces’, and Martin’s developmental timeline will align with theirs.
Natalie Nakase will make the transition particularly seamless
The Golden State Valkyries’ head coach, Natalie Nakase, already had a close relationship with Martin. Nakase was one of Becky Hammon’s lead assistants in Las Vegas this past season, and her experiences working with the 2024 No. 18 overall pick likely played a part in the franchise’s decision to select her.
For Martin, having to change franchises after a single season is an unusual situation, but having a familiar face in her new city will make the transition less tumultuous.
Kate Martin’s popularity will help the Valkyries generate buzz
There’s plenty of buzz around the Valkyries already, but the Iowa star joining the squad will help generate even more. Kate Martin sold the 4th-most jerseys of any WNBA player this season, and she will undoubtedly be one of the most well-known names on the Valkyries roster right off the bat. What better way to start a new organization than with one of the most popular players in the league?
