The WNBA is set to expand to 13 teams as the Golden State Valkyries will embark upon their inaugural season in 2025.
After the franchise was officially awarded to the Bay Area in 2023, the organization will check major boxes in 2024. With the Valkyries set to play their first-ever game in May, general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase will lead the efforts of roster building. That process begins with the Expansion Draft on Friday, Dec. 6.
Golden State can build out its roster by selecting non-protected players from other current WNBA teams. As such, there are rules, regulations and limitations around who the franchise will be able to select in the Expansion Draft.
Here is everything to know about how the WNBA Expansion Draft works.
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WNBA Expansion Draft, explained
Player pool
The 12 current WNBA teams can protect up to six players from being selected in the expansion draft. The remaining players on each team’s roster become Expansion Draft-eligible. The pool of non-protected players can include 2024 unrestricted free agents.
The WNBA does not reveal the list of protected players, so the player pool the Valkyries are selecting from is unknown.
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Player selection
Golden State may select up to one non-protected player from each team but is not required to select a player from each team. The franchise can elect to pass on making a selection from any team.
The Valkyries can only select one 2024 unrestricted free agent. They cannot select any player under core designation from a team. Core players are not counted towards the six players that a team can protect.
Golden State can also agree to select a player from one team and trade them to another. The franchise has the option to draft a player from one team and trade them elsewhere for cap space.
Here is an explanation of the Expansion Draft process from the Valkyries:
ICYMI: it’s Expansion Draft Week – and we’ve got all the information you’ll need to follow along.
Watch to see how the @WNBA Expansion Draft will work and be sure to tune in this Friday, December 6th at 3:30 pm PST on @ESPN.@CarMax | Expansion Draft pic.twitter.com/WQWzlSuZh0
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) December 3, 2024
WNBA rosters are capped at 12 players. The Valkyries will continue their team-building process through free agency and the WNBA Draft. Golden State owns the fifth overall pick and will also select fifth in the second and third rounds of the draft in April.
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Ineligible players
The Valkyries cannot take any players who have been on a core-player contract for at least two seasons. Among players who fit that description are:
Tina Charles, C, Atlanta DreamDeWanna Bonner, F, Connecticut SunBrionna Jones, C, Connecticut SunNatasha Howard, F, Dallas WingsBrittney Griner, C, Phoenix MercuryNneka Ogwumike, F, Seattle Storm
