Golden State Valkyries Select Martin and Thornton

The Golden State Valkyries have selected Kate Martin from the Las Vegas Aces and Kayla Thornton from the New York Liberty in the 2025 WNBA expansion draft. The draft allows each of the 12 WNBA teams to protect six players, leaving the Valkyries to choose one unprotected player per team. Martin, a rookie and fan favorite with the Aces, saw her playing time diminish as the team returned to full health, but she showed early promise, averaging 19.3 minutes and making 37% of her three-pointers in her first ten games. Thornton, a seasoned veteran, contributed to the Liberty's first WNBA title and brings strong defensive skills to the Valkyries. While Martin fits the Valkyries' developmental timeline, Thornton's experience will strengthen the team’s rotation. This expansion draft marks the beginning of the Valkyries' journey in the WNBA, allowing them to build a competitive roster through additional means such as free agency and future drafts.