The Golden State Valkyries have chosen Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton within the enlargement draft, per Sabreena Service provider and Marcus Thompson II of the Athletic. The Las Vegas Aces rookie and New York Liberty veteran will each go to the Bay as a part of the inaugural workforce for the WNBA’s fifteenth franchise.
Neither choice comes as a large shock. SB Nation’s official enlargement draft predictions anticipated Golden State to pick Kayla Thornton from New York. The versatile veteran is a confirmed playoff contributor and a dependable shooter — however the Liberty needed to shield Nyara Sabally after her postseason surge.
Kate Martin might have simply been on the protected record, however the Aces went in a special path — in the end leaving her unprotected. Martin didn’t play a lot in her rookie season as soon as the Aces rotation was complete, however she confirmed flashes of potential in the course of the season.
Martin appeared in 34 video games, averaging 2.6 factors in 11.5 minutes per night time. Her teammates had been impressed by her fast instincts, and the way rapidly she adjusted to life as an expert.
“Kate Martin is superior. Kate Martin picks up issues so rapidly, she’s a tremendous sponge,” Kelsey Plum mentioned in Could. “I feel Becky nicknamed her Kate ‘Cash’ Martin. I feel that’s gonna stick.”
Martin fell out of the rotation within the second half of the season, her minutes taking a dip after Chelsea Grey returned from her early-season absence. Whereas she was a fan favourite in Las Vegas — and was often lauded for her effort and seamless integration — she in the end wasn’t one of many Aces’ rotation gamers once they had been complete.
Finally, her slot in Golden State makes excellent sense for a few causes:
Kate Martin’s developmental timeline seemingly aligns higher with Golden State
The Aces are a veteran workforce, and their championship window is now. Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson is in her prime at 28 years outdated, whereas a number of of the Aces’ rotation gamers from 2024 are within the latter portion of their careers, together with Tiffany Hayes (35), Sydney Colson (35), and Kelsey Plum (30). It’s not that the workforce’s championship window is closing — but when the Aces had been deciding between defending a extra veteran participant and Martin, it’s comprehensible why they opted to let one among their intriguing younger items stroll.
Although she was typically praised for her emotional maturity, Martin continues to be contemporary off of her rookie season. Like most WNBA gamers, it would most likely be just a few years till she is a dependable playoff contributor. The Valkyries’ roster will seemingly be youthful than the Aces’, and Martin’s developmental timeline will align with theirs.
Natalie Nakase will make the transition notably seamless
The Golden State Valkyries’ head coach, Natalie Nakase, already had a detailed relationship with Martin. Nakase was one among Becky Hammon’s lead assistants in Las Vegas this previous season, and her experiences working with the 2024 No. 18 total decide seemingly performed an element within the franchise’s resolution to pick her.
For Martin, having to vary franchises after a single season is an uncommon state of affairs, however having a well-recognized face in her new metropolis will make the transition much less tumultuous.
Kate Martin’s recognition will assist the Valkyries generate buzz
There’s loads of buzz across the Valkyries already, however the Iowa star becoming a member of the squad will assist generate much more. Kate Martin bought the 4th-most jerseys of any WNBA participant this season, and she’s going to undoubtedly be probably the most well-known names on the Valkyries roster proper off the bat. What higher strategy to begin a brand new group than with probably the most fashionable gamers within the league?
