WNBA: Is Kelsey Plum the perfect face of the Golden State Valkyries?

The Golden State Valkyries are the new kids on the block.

There’s no history of past failures hanging over the organization as they enter their first free agency period. They’re a blank canvas for predictions and expectations. Still, there are two routes that the expansion team can take. Here’s a look at where the Valkyries stand entering free agency, as well as the two big questions the team must consider as they navigate the free agency period:

Facts and figures*

Players under contract (contract status; 2025 salary)

Stephanie Talbot (protected veteran; $125,000)
Kayla Thornton (protected veteran; $112,000)
Kate Martin (unprotected; $68,595)

Free agents (type; 2024 salary)

Monique Billings (unrestricted)
Veronica Burton (reserved)
Julie Vanloo (reserved)
Cecilia Zandalasini (reserved)
Temi Fagbenle (restricted)
Maria Conde (suspended-contract expired)
Iliana Rupert (suspended-contract expired)

Total salary of free agents: $305,595

Total team salary: $1,463,200

Cap space: $1,201,505

Unsigned draftees (2025 salary)

2025 WNBA Draft picks (2025 salary)

Round 1, No. 5 ($75,643)
Round 2, No. 17 ($69,267)
Round 3, No. 30 ($66,079)

1. Take it slow?

This is a hard thought exercise because, apart from the depth at the guard positions, there’s plenty to like about the Valkyries roster.

If the team can land a promising playmaker in the 2025 WNBA Draft, fans should be fine with a patient approach, allowing the team to feel things out for a year or two. There’s just one problem. Once it’s the Valkyries’ turn to pick at No. 5 overall, the two best playmakers in the draft, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles, will most likely be gone. Julie Vanloo would be an awesome teacher for both, but she also might turn out to be a great teacher for South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao as well, who could fall to Golden State in the draft.

That’s why bringing in a veteran playmaker, like Courtney Vandersloot from the New York Liberty, Erica Wheeler from the Indiana Fever or Kia Nurse from the Los Angeles Sparks, doesn’t make a lot of sense if the Valkyries plan to feel things out.

But if they decide to go all-in, it should depend on landing one big name.

2. Or win now?

Kelsey Plum would be the perfect face of this new franchise.

She was born and raised in California. She was coached by Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase when she was an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces. And Plum, with two WNBA titles, has nothing to prove on a team level.

Individually though, she could want to show that she can carry a team as the primary scoring option at the WNBA level. Would she like to see just how far she can take a roster built around her? That may be tempting. Plum could also play next to Kate Martin, who she already knows and appreciates.

With Plum in place, it then makes ton of sense to make a run for a veteran, All-Star-level frontcourt player, such as the Connecticut Sun’s Brionna Jones or Dallas Wings’ Natasha Howard. Or both. Imagine landing all three and adding Gabby Williams from the Seattle Storm into the mix on the wing.

With Carla Leite, Veronica Burton and Temi Fagbenle ready to come off the bench at any moment, the Valkyries could be a serious contender. To be honest, they’ll become one if they’re just able to add Plum.

*Thanks to Her Hoop Stats for all roster information and salary numbers.