The WNBA will be getting a new franchise in the 2025 season with the Golden State Valkyries making its debut, and an expansion draft will see the team assemble its roster for its inaugural campaign.

The logo and colors for the Valkyries were already unveiled in May but its roster will start to take real shape at the end of this year on Dec. 6, the WNBA has announced. Existing franchises will submit a comprehensive roster list to the league office following the conclusion of the 2024 season, with the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx contesting the WNBA Finals.

The list, which has a deadline in November, will outline each player whose rights that respective team holds, and each of the 12 existing franchises will have the chance to designate a maximum of six “protected players” who will become ineligible for selection by the Valkyries.

All of the other players not designated will be available for Golden State to select, and the Valkyries can then seize the opportunity to acquire the contract or negotiating rights for one of the non-protected, available players.

The Valkyries can also pick a player who is not signed to a contract for the 2025 season, meaning Golden State would receive any rights to that player that the player’s existing team has. Soon-to-be unrestricted free agents can also be picked by the Valkyries, but they’ll have to be declared as a core player in the roster come January.

However, there are limitations on who can be selected, with those on a core player contract for at least two seasons not available to be snapped up in December’s expansion draft. Additionally, Golden State can make trades from the moment the roster lists are submitted.

The new franchise may decide to enter an agreement to select a particular player and then send them to another one of the 12 WNBA franchises.

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase will see her roster take real shape at the end of this year

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase will see her roster take real shape at the end of this year ( 

Image:

Getty)

Several top WNBA stays may not be protected heading into the expansion draft. One thing is for certain, though; Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart won’t be leaving their respective franchises. However, some intriguing names could be on the board, such as Atlanta Dream star Haley Jones, who is yet to find her groove with star-level production. Jones could be left unprotected after averaging 3.9 points over 40 games last season, with Atlanta already having backcourt depth.

Over in Chicago with the Sky, Diamond DeShields could be available after scoring just 4.5 points per game last season. Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Chennedy Carter are also the bonified core of the roster.

Clark could also lose Lexie Hull from Indiana. Hull is a former top-10 pick who shot 44.1% from the field this season, however, Clark and Kelsey Mitchell are the Fever’s go-to for protection.