Stocking the Golden State Valkeries

[Aluminny69]

If you do a Youtube search on "WNBA Expansion Draft" you will find several videos explaining the expansion draft set for December 6. A lot of fodder for discussion. Here is just one video:

 

[Aluminny69]

I found the video I initially watched.

 

[CalWBBfan]

Here's a gift link for two recent SF Chronicle articles on the subject, not sure it offers anything new but here you go: Expansion Draft for Valkyries and Who will Valkyries Target in Upcoming Expansion Draft

 

[EricLA]

couldn't read the articles without subscribing.

 

[DRR25]

couldn't read the articles without subscribing.

You don't have to subscribe, just enter your email.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I really wish they were going to be able to get Paige instead of the two places I hate to see her end up.

 

[DEpup]

So when are they going to get a coach? Wouldn't you want a coach before they start drafting players?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Let's be honest. This team is going to be terrible until they can get at least two #1 overall picks (e.g., one in 2026 and JuJu in 2027) and at least two former MVPs (use your imagination here). That kind of haul likely won't all happen under the first coach's watch.

 

[12au]

Went through and looked at rosters to determine which players were likely to be protected. It's not a ranking of players.


Atlanta Dream

1. Rhyne
2. J Canada
3. Gray
4. Cheyenne Parker
5. Aerial Powers
6. ?

Haley Jones
Amihere
Nia Coffey
Tina Charles
Naz Hillmon

I feel like there's a clear top 4. Not sure after that.


Chicago Sky

1. Liz Williams
2. Angel Reese
3. Chennedy Carter
4. Kamilla Cardoso
5. Moriah Jefferson
6. ?

Brianna Turner
Izzy Harrison
Dana Evans
Diamond DeShields
Onyenwere
Banham

Again, clear top 4.


Connecticut Sun

1. Alyssa Thomas
2. Bonner
3. Brionna
4. Dijonai
5. Marina
6. Tyasha/Nelson-Ododa

Burton

Clear top 7 here. Valkyries should get a good player.


Indiana Fever

1. CC
2. Kelsey Mitchell
3. Aliyah Boston
4. Lexie Hull
5. Temi
6. NaLyssa Smith

Damiris
Wallace
Berger
Saxton
Wheeler
KLS

I assumed NaLyssa'd be gone. But the other players are just worse assets. Maybe the Fever can trade her to Valkyries to get an asset in return.


New York Liberty

1. Sabrina
2. Stewart
3. Jones
4. Laney
5. Sloot
6. Fiebich

Sabally
Thornton

Maybe a chance Sabally gets protected instead of Sloot?


Wash Mystics

1. Dolson
2. Atkins
3. Sykes
4. A Edwards
5. Shakira Austin
6. Karlie Samuelson

Melbourne
Kone
Engstler
Shatori
Vanloo

I don't have a great feel for these players. Clear top 5 though.


Dallas Wings

1. Arike
2. Sabally
3. McCowan
4. Siegrist
5. Kuier
6. Sheldon

Soares
Brown

Boy this roster is rough. Funny that they had Mabrey, Harris, and Burton over the past few years.


LV Aces

1. Plum
2. Wilson
3. Gray
4. Young
5. Stokes
6. Hayes

Clark

Not sure how to sort out Clark/Stokes/Hayes.


LA Sparks

1. Hamby
2. Brink
3. Rickea
4. Nurse
5. ?
6. ?

McDonald
Lexie Brown
Li Yueru
Burrell
Talbot

Hard to know pecking order here for last 2 spots.


Minnesota Lynx

1. Collier
2. Alanna Smith
3. McBride
4. Carleton
5. Diamond MIller
6. Courtney Williams

Jess Shephard
Dorka
Hiedemann

This is tricky as well. Pretty deep team.


Phx Mercury

1. Copper
2. Griner
3. Cunningham
4. Allen
5. Cloud
6. Mack

Straightforward, maybe except Mack.


Seattle Storm

1. SDS
2. Loyd
3. Nneka
4. Ezi
5. Horston
6. Gabby Williams

Seems obvious...

 

[TC22]

I have heard that a new coach will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

As for the Aces, I think they’ll keep Clark over Stokes. Also have the think they may want to keep protect Kitley. I think she’ll have a good career under the right system.

It’s amazing how just a change of scenery or a couple of years in the league can make all the difference in the world in a player. Thinking Ty Harris/Hamby/Alana Smith….

 

[nwhoopfan]

Thinking Ty Harris/Hamby/Alana Smith….

I think of Hamby differently than the other two. Clearly a significant contributor while she was with the Aces (2X 6th Player of the Year), she understandably took on a bigger role with a bad LA team. But she had shown to be an above average WNBA player already. Harris and Smith had very little opportunity to do much while they were with Dallas and Phoenix/Indiana respectively. Big increase in production came along with big increase in minutes played.

 

[JellyBean]

I have heard that a new coach will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

As for the Aces, I think they’ll keep Clark over Stokes. Also have the think they may want to keep protect Kitley. I think she’ll have a good career under the right system.

It’s amazing how just a change of scenery or a couple of years in the league can make all the difference in the world in a player. Thinking Ty Harris/Hamby/Alana Smith….

I will be curious to know who they hire as coach.

 

[JellyBean]

I think the Golden State squad, as well as Portland and Toronto, will get some decent players to build a team. Players hungry to prove that they can play in the WNBA. Players like Lou Lopez-Senechal, Grace Berger, undrafted players or any player that is overseas. Teams are getting some players.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Went through and looked at rosters to determine which players were likely to be protected. It's not a ranking of players.


Atlanta Dream

1. Rhyne
2. J Canada
3. Gray
4. Cheyenne Parker
5. Aerial Powers
6. ?

Haley Jones
Amihere
Nia Coffey
Tina Charles
Naz Hillmon

I feel like there's a clear top 4. Not sure after that.


Chicago Sky

1. Liz Williams
2. Angel Reese
3. Chennedy Carter
4. Kamilla Cardoso
5. Moriah Jefferson
6. ?

Brianna Turner
Izzy Harrison
Dana Evans
Diamond DeShields
Onyenwere
Banham

Again, clear top 4.


Connecticut Sun

1. Alyssa Thomas
2. Bonner
3. Brionna
4. Dijonai
5. Marina
6. Tyasha/Nelson-Ododa

Burton

Clear top 7 here. Valkyries should get a good player.


Indiana Fever

1. CC
2. Kelsey Mitchell
3. Aliyah Boston
4. Lexie Hull
5. Temi
6. NaLyssa Smith

Damiris
Wallace
Berger
Saxton
Wheeler
KLS

I assumed NaLyssa'd be gone. But the other players are just worse assets. Maybe the Fever can trade her to Valkyries to get an asset in return.


New York Liberty

1. Sabrina
2. Stewart
3. Jones
4. Laney
5. Sloot
6. Fiebich

Sabally
Thornton

Maybe a chance Sabally gets protected instead of Sloot?


Wash Mystics

1. Dolson
2. Atkins
3. Sykes
4. A Edwards
5. Shakira Austin
6. Karlie Samuelson

Melbourne
Kone
Engstler
Shatori
Vanloo

I don't have a great feel for these players. Clear top 5 though.


Dallas Wings

1. Arike
2. Sabally
3. McCowan
4. Siegrist
5. Kuier
6. Sheldon

Soares
Brown

Boy this roster is rough. Funny that they had Mabrey, Harris, and Burton over the past few years.


LV Aces

1. Plum
2. Wilson
3. Gray
4. Young
5. Stokes
6. Hayes

Clark

Not sure how to sort out Clark/Stokes/Hayes.


LA Sparks

1. Hamby
2. Brink
3. Rickea
4. Nurse
5. ?
6. ?

McDonald
Lexie Brown
Li Yueru
Burrell
Talbot

Hard to know pecking order here for last 2 spots.


Minnesota Lynx

1. Collier
2. Alanna Smith
3. McBride
4. Carleton
5. Diamond MIller
6. Courtney Williams

Jess Shephard
Dorka
Hiedemann

This is tricky as well. Pretty deep team.


Phx Mercury

1. Copper
2. Griner
3. Cunningham
4. Allen
5. Cloud
6. Mack

Straightforward, maybe except Mack.


Seattle Storm

1. SDS
2. Loyd
3. Nneka
4. Ezi
5. Horston
6. Gabby Williams

Seems obvious...

Pretty good list but some players don't need protection like Nneka, Bri Jones and Bonner because they have already been cored twice. So those teams have some more room to work with.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

Went through and looked at rosters to determine which players were likely to be protected. It's not a ranking of players.


Atlanta Dream

1. Rhyne
2. J Canada
3. Gray
4. Cheyenne Parker
5. Aerial Powers
6. ?

Haley Jones
Amihere
Nia Coffey
Tina Charles
Naz Hillmon

I feel like there's a clear top 4. Not sure after that.


Chicago Sky

1. Liz Williams
2. Angel Reese
3. Chennedy Carter
4. Kamilla Cardoso
5. Moriah Jefferson
6. ?

Brianna Turner
Izzy Harrison
Dana Evans
Diamond DeShields
Onyenwere
Banham

Again, clear top 4.


Connecticut Sun

1. Alyssa Thomas
2. Bonner
3. Brionna
4. Dijonai
5. Marina
6. Tyasha/Nelson-Ododa

Burton

Clear top 7 here. Valkyries should get a good player.


Indiana Fever

1. CC
2. Kelsey Mitchell
3. Aliyah Boston
4. Lexie Hull
5. Temi
6. NaLyssa Smith

Damiris
Wallace
Berger
Saxton
Wheeler
KLS

I assumed NaLyssa'd be gone. But the other players are just worse assets. Maybe the Fever can trade her to Valkyries to get an asset in return.


New York Liberty

1. Sabrina
2. Stewart
3. Jones
4. Laney
5. Sloot
6. Fiebich

Sabally
Thornton

Maybe a chance Sabally gets protected instead of Sloot?


Wash Mystics

1. Dolson
2. Atkins
3. Sykes
4. A Edwards
5. Shakira Austin
6. Karlie Samuelson

Melbourne
Kone
Engstler
Shatori
Vanloo

I don't have a great feel for these players. Clear top 5 though.


Dallas Wings

1. Arike
2. Sabally
3. McCowan
4. Siegrist
5. Kuier
6. Sheldon

Soares
Brown

Boy this roster is rough. Funny that they had Mabrey, Harris, and Burton over the past few years.


LV Aces

1. Plum
2. Wilson
3. Gray
4. Young
5. Stokes
6. Hayes

Clark

Not sure how to sort out Clark/Stokes/Hayes.


LA Sparks

1. Hamby
2. Brink
3. Rickea
4. Nurse
5. ?
6. ?

McDonald
Lexie Brown
Li Yueru
Burrell
Talbot

Hard to know pecking order here for last 2 spots.


Minnesota Lynx

1. Collier
2. Alanna Smith
3. McBride
4. Carleton
5. Diamond MIller
6. Courtney Williams

Jess Shephard
Dorka
Hiedemann

This is tricky as well. Pretty deep team.


Phx Mercury

1. Copper
2. Griner
3. Cunningham
4. Allen
5. Cloud
6. Mack

Straightforward, maybe except Mack.


Seattle Storm

1. SDS
2. Loyd
3. Nneka
4. Ezi
5. Horston
6. Gabby Williams

Seems obvious...

I made a post in a different thread on Noteworthy Potential Players in Expansion Draft.

I think that the Valkyries are barred from selecting players who have been cored for 2+ years, regardless of which team(s) cored them. (same point made by GcksFn4L)

• Seattle doesn’t need to protect Nneka, SDS or Jewell;
• Connecticut doesn’t need to protect Jones and Bonner;
• Phoenix doesn’t need to protect Griner and Copper;
• New York doesn’t need to protect Jones;
• same with Charles in Atlanta, Howard in Dallas.

Also, the Valkyries can only select one Unrestricted Free Agent, and has to core that selection. So, teams need not protect most of their UFAs.

Also, I think Elena Delle Donne was cored by Washington in order to get something from Elena’s previous intention to leave. Elena has only been cored just this once.

• So, Washington will need to protect Elena;
• Otherwise, the Valkyries can pick her and core her — Elena may or may not be happy about that.