The Golden State Valkyries finally have some players. On Friday, during the league’s expansion draft, the Valkyries got a chance to select a few players who will be part of their inaugural 2025 WNBA roster.
Golden State could select a player from all 12 of the WNBA’s existing franchises unprotected list. However, the Valkyries decided to choose just 11 players, bypassing on the options from the Seattle Storm.
Golden State Valkyries Decide To Build Around A Pair Of Tough, Defensive-Minded Veteran Forwards
Of the 11 players that Golden State chose, three have six or more years of service, while four have less than three. The Valkyries focused the majority of their picks on finding the right mix of veterans and talented youngsters, as well as on defense, who would benefit the Bay Area community on and off the court, according to general manager Ohemaa Nyanin.
“We are excited to have officially started the journey of building the Golden State Valkyries 2025 team, Our goal was to construct a roster that embodies both versatility and depth, bringing in a strong mix of leadership, defense, and scoring ability. These players were carefully chosen not only for their skills on the court, but also for their ability to fit into the culture we’re working to build here at Golden State.”
Golden State also selected seven players with international experience, including two who have yet to play in the WNBA. The Valkyries took just four guards with their 11 picks, meaning seven were frontcourt players—which makes sense if first-year coach Natalie Nakase intends to use a traditional lineup.
Golden State Talk Draft
Just because Golden State selected the 11 players doesn’t mean all 11 will make the Valkyries’ 12-player roster. Actually, only three players are currently under contract for next year, with salaries totaling $305, 595. Stephanie Talbot and Kayla Thornton have guaranteed deals, while Kate Martin’s pact is nonguaranteed.
“It’s a long process, but it’s also a great process for us,” Nakase added. “We kind of did this cycle, where we collaborate, we discuss, and then we go watch film, then do it again . . . and that went over and over again for about two months. And finally, we decided we picked the best players that fit our culture. So we’re excited and can’t wait to get going.”
Therefore, Golden State will have $1.2 million in cap space heading into free agency. The Valkyries also have three draft picks in the league’s April draft: the No. 5 pick, the No. 17 pick, and the No. 30th pick.
“Versatility is key,” Nakase told reporters after the draft. “That’s one word defensively that I kept saying. We’re going to hang our hat on the defensive end. So, being able to guard multiple positions is going to be really key. At the same time, too, we want to be a great rebounding team.
Expansion Draft Picks
Stephanie Talbot
Talbot will make $125,000 this upcoming season, the final season of her deal. The 30-year-old forward was a major part of the Los Angeles Sparks rotation and a part-time starter. The veteran 6-2 forward is known for her defense and led the Sparks in plus/minus despite only providing 3.5 points a game.
Talbot is also a decent shooter and rebounder who is capable of having a big game—she reached double figures four times in 37 contests. She is an excellent finisher at the rim and a good passer who can facilitate an offense.
“I’m a good passer, I’m a good playmaker. . .I’ve been like that from a young age,” Talbot told previously told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “I’m a team-first player always which is not as common in the game these days. The game is evolving into a lot more of a one-on-one type of play so to have someone that’s team-first, space the floor, cut when they need to, it’s what I do.”
Talbot averages nearly 10 points in 14 career games, playing 30 minutes a contest. Her career shooting slash line is 43/36/73.
Kayla Thornton
Like Talbot, Thornton is an experienced veteran known for her defensive ability. She is also in the final season of her contract, which is worth $112,000.
Thornton “gets after it defensively” and doesn’t foul. Offensively, the 32-year-old is an absolutely fantastic finisher at the rim.
Thornton has mainly become a 3-point shooter, and while she made 1.1 treys a game at a decent clip, she is a below-average shooter. However, the 6-1 forward is capable of a big game, as evident by her two 20-point efforts this past season and a 20-point effort during the 2022 playoffs.
Kate Martin
Martin is best known for being Caitlin Clark‘s sidekick at Iowa. The 24-year-old is slated to make nearly $69,000 this year and is under team control for the next three seasons. The 2024 second-round pick, who scored in double figures twice for Las Vegas last season, averaged 2.6 points in 12 minutes of action overall, though she did show an ability to shoot from deep (35.5%).
Monique Billings
Monique Billings may have been a surprise pick, but the 28-year-old must be in the Valkyries’ plans unless they have worked a trade for a future unrestricted free agent. The Valkyries, in an expected move, can guarantee themselves exclusive negotiating rights by designating Billings as a core player.
Billings may be the most talented of the 11 players that the Valkyries selected on Friday. She is a capable scorer in the low post and runs the floor exceptionally well. However, she does her best work on the glass while also being a capable rim protector.
“Monique is a relentless rebounder from both ends,” Nyanin said during her media availability following the draft. “She’s a ball of energy, a bright light.
Veronica Burton
Veronica Burton, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, has had a reserved contract since finishing her third season. Expect the Valkryies to exercise that clause, thus giving them exclusive negotiating rights.
Burton is a speedy two-way guard who showed improvement from deep this past season with Connecticut, connecting on 35% of his 3-point attempts. She is also a good facilitator and has a career 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Temi Fagenble
Temi Fagenble is coming off a career season in her return to the WNBA in 2024. The 32-year-old is an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker, though fouling is an issue for the 6-4 center. She is not a great finisher around the rim, though she runs the floor and is one of the Fever’s best defenders.
Julie Vanloo
Julie Vanloo, who has a reserve contract, had a productive yet inefficient rookie season. The 31-year-old Belgium point guard averaged 7.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 turnovers for Washington. She scored in double figures in 12 of her 40 appearances and knocked down 1.8 threes while shooting 34.6/32.4/66.7.
Cecilia Zandalasini
Cecilia Zandalasini returned to the WNBA after several seasons overseas in 2024. The 28-year-old Italian forward is a sharpshooter who averaged 4.6 points and 1.1 assists while shooting 45.3/44.3/62.1 in 12.8 minutes for Minnesota. She also has a reserved contract.
Iliana Rupert, Maria Conde, and Carla Leite
Iliana Rupert and Maria Conde are on the WNBA suspended list because both players didn’t play in the WNBA last season. Rupert, the No. 12 overall selection in 2021, is currently playing in Turkey. The 23-year-old is a talented offensive center who has 37 games of WNBA experience under her belt and can shoot it well.
Conde was the Chicago Sky’s third-round pick in 2021 despite struggling her first two seasons at Florida State. The 27-year-old forward has yet to play in the WNBA and may never play again.
Carla Leite is a 20-year-old French sensation who the Dallas Wings selected with the No.9 overall pick. Leite, who decided to remain overseas last season, is an incredible scorer and playmaker.
“She excels in the pick and roll, possesses incredible live-dribble passing ability, draws fouls at a high rate, and can hit pull-up jumpers, Jack Bonin of SBNation said when talking about Leite’s game. “Her poise, basketball IQ, and tenacity on the court are far beyond her years.”
By choosing Rupert, Conde, and Leite, Golden State owns its WNBA rights. Therefore, if or when any of the trio decides to play in the WNBA, the Valkyries will have exclusive negotiating rights unless they trade or release those rights.
Final Word
It is hard to say who will make the Valkyries’ initial 12-person roster when the season starts with so many international players. Thornton, Talbot, Miller, Burton, Fagbenle, and likely Billings—unless she is traded—appear to be guaranteed a roster spot.
Leite is also guaranteed a spot if she decides to play in the league this year. That would leave four or five open spots for any free agent that the Valkyries sign this offseason or potentially their three draft picks. This is not to say none of the others will not end up with Golden State, but it is a more wait and season.
