The Golden State Valkyries are set to pick Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton in the 2025 WNBA expansion draft, according to a source familiar with the decision as reported by The Athletic. The full draft results will be revealed on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
As per the rules set by the league and the collective bargaining agreement for the expansion draft, the 12 current WNBA teams can protect six players each. The Valkyries can then select one player from each team who is not protected; this could be a player on the active roster, a player with draft rights, or on their international rights list.
Martin is expected to be a popular choice for Golden State on Friday. The rookie from Iowa in 2024 had a strong start to her WNBA career, averaging 19.3 minutes in her first ten games and shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc. However, her playing time decreased as the season progressed, with minimal postseason appearances.
On the other hand, Thornton, a veteran presence, will be joining the Valkyries. She played a key role for the New York Liberty during their championship run, and her familiarity with general manager Ohemaa Nyanin played a part in the selection process. Thornton has one year left on her contract extension with the Liberty.
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