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When the WNBA’s free-agent negotiating period began Tuesday, the Bay Area’s new team did not make an immediate splash.
The Valkyries weren’t alone.
As of late in the day, none of the league’s 13 teams had come to terms with the dozens of available free agents, at least not publicly.
Teams are not allowed to sign players until Feb. 1 but agreements can be reached before then.
As it stands, the Valkyries have 11 players on their roster, all added during the expansion draft in December.
In free agency, players are separated into three classifications. Unrestricted free agents can sign anywhere. Restricted agents can negotiate with anyone but their previous team can match the offer. Core players can negotiate a deal with another team but can only move on if their previous team receives compensation in return.
Here are some players who could end up with the Valkyries:
Kelsey Plum (core player)
The prolific shooting guard is a free agent but was recently designated as a core player by the Las Vegas Aces.
Should the Valkyries trade for Plum, she would instantly give the expansion team a scoring punch the roster sorely lacks. She averaged 17.8 points per game last season and shot 37% from 3-point distance on almost eight attempts per game.
Raised in the San Diego area, she was an integral part of the Aces’ back-to-back championship victories in 2022 and 2023, when current Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase was an assistant on Becky Hammon’s staff.
There could be some concern that the 30-year-old’s skills are starting to decline, as Plum’s scoring volume and efficiency have both seen a steady drop over the past three seasons.
But she also played on a stacked team with a number of high-scoring stars, so perhaps Plum would be rejuvenated should she become the No. 1 option.
Brittney Griner (unrestricted free agent)
One of the greatest players in league history has decided to test free agency for the first time in her career, according to ESPN.
Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin have repeatedly said the team will value hard-nosed defense.
The 6-foot-9 shot-blocking center has led the WNBA in swats eight times and scoring twice. She would instantly give the Valkyries an imposing presence in the middle.
Griner briefly played with Monique Billings, who the Valkyries selected in the expansion draft.
Should Golden State use some of its $1.2 million in salary cap space to bring in Griner, she would join a center rotation that includes another 34-year-old, Temi Fagbenle, and 23-year-old Iliana Rupert (if she decides to leave Europe).
Even though Griner is on the backside of her illustrious career, she is still one of the top centers in the league. Two years removed from being released from a Russian prison, she averaged 17.8 points and 1.5 blocks per game for the Mercury last season.
Nneka Ogwumike (unrestricted free agent)
The nine-time all-star and Stanford alum is now 34 but would bring Bay Area name recognition to the Valkyries. The 2016 WNBA MVP has been the model of consistency over the course of her 13-year career, averaging double figures in scoring every season.
After spending her first 12 years with the Los Angeles Sparks, Ogwumike played in Seattle last season and averaged 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Like Griner, Ogqumike would bring an established post player to the Valkyries’ thin frontcourt.
Satou Sabally (core player)
Sabally is one of the league’s most talented wings, and is looking to find a new team.
This month, Sabally announced on social media that she has played her last game for Dallas, which selected her No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft.
If there’s a player worth trading for, it’s Sabally, a 26-year-old do-it-all wing who averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for Dallas last season.
Sabally could fill multiple roles as the Valkyries find their way offensively.
Courtney Vandersloot (unrestricted free agent)
The passing savant could provide veteran poise in the backcourt.
The 13-year veteran dished out 4.8 assists last season for the champion New York Liberty, although her minutes diminished during the playoff run.
Now 35, she would likely pair with second-year point guard Julie Vanloo, who started 34 games last season for Washington, if she signs with the Valkyries.
Originally Published: January 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM PST
