Golden State Valkyries Prepare to Sign Star Free Agent
The newly crowned WNBA champions will hold substantial cap space this winter, with GM Ohemaa Nyanin indicating interest in adding a max contract player.
By Connor Murphy ·
The Golden State Valkyries won the 2026 WNBA title in their second season, becoming the first North American professional sports team to claim a championship that quickly. They achieved this feat without an All-WNBA player on the roster. The team finished the regular season with a 32-12 record and the number two seed. Their defensive rating of 99.1 led the league by more than four points per 100 possessions. The front office now faces the task of retaining that core while addressing offensive needs in the upcoming free agency period.
General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin stated the organization maintains salary cap flexibility to sign additional talent. The team only has $3.2 million in guaranteed money on the books for the 2027 season. The official 2027 salary cap is expected to exceed the $7 million figure from 2026 due to a new revenue-sharing model. This financial position allows Nyanin to pursue a max free agent while retaining enough funds to fill out the rest of the roster. The team traded its No. 8 draft pick last season specifically to create this financial room.
The Valkyries relied on elite defense to overcome a scoring offense that ranked seventh in the league. Their offensive rating was 108.2, the second-worst among playoff teams. They allowed opponents to shoot 42.2% from the field, a league-low mark. No player on the team averaged more than 15 points per game. Finals MVP Gabby Williams averaged 14.4 points per game, the second-lowest total for any team's leading scorer. The team forced a 19.2% opponent turnover rate and held opponents to 53.5% true shooting percentage.
Williams led the charge in Game 7 of the Finals, scoring 28 of her 30 points in the second half. She hit the go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The team trailed the Atlanta Dream by nine points in the second half of that game. Williams said Coach Natalie Nakase told her to stay patient and trust the process. The Valkyries have now swept the Las Vegas Aces and defeated the Dallas Wings in the playoffs, winning the series despite shooting inefficiently.
The front office is reportedly interested in several high-profile free agents. Napheesa Collier is considered the most natural fit as an efficient scorer who can also defend. Other targets include Jackie Young, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum. Mitchell and Plum offer elite offensive talent but are weaker defenders, which may conflict with the Valkyries' defensive identity. The team holds the No. 14, 29, and 44 picks in the 2027 WNBA Draft. Nyanin may use the first-round selection on a draft-and-stash player like French forward Aïnhoa Risacher, who would not disrupt the current roster structure.
The Valkyries' success has been driven by a culture of physicality and defensive effort. Williams described the team as a group of winners who prioritize rebounding and defense over individual scoring. The organization believes that adding a star scorer will complete the roster without sacrificing the defensive core. The upcoming winter will determine if the team can sign a marquee player to complement Williams and their existing depth.
