Flau'Jae Johnson traded from Golden State to Seattle in surprising WNBA Draft deal

Flau'Jae Johnson will not be playing for the Golden State Valkyries.

In a surprising trade during the 2026 WNBA Draft Monday, April 13, the Valkyries sent the draft rights of Johnson – who Golden State selected eighth overall – to the Seattle Storm for the draft rights of TCU wing Marta Suárez and a 2028 second round pick.

Johnson fills a need for the Storm as the team needs depth in the backcourt following the departure of all-star Skylar Diggins via free agency. Seattle also drafted Duke point guard Taina Mair 14th overall. Mair and Johnson faced off in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament this season, with the Blue Devils coming out on top thanks to a 3-point buzzer beater from Ashlon Jackson.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.

(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaÕNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn hugs WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Azzi Fudd of UConn celebrates after being selected with the 1st pick in the first round by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Olivia Miles who was selected second overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Olivia Miles of TCU celebrates after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Lauren Betts who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (right) poses for photos with Gabriela Jaquez who was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Azzi Fudd of UConn and Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Angela Dugalic of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

(L-R) Awa Fam Thiam of Spain and Nell Angloma of France pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

Raven Johnson of South Carolina, left, Madina Okot of Kenya, center, and TaÕNiya Latson of South Carolina pose prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

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Scenes from the 2026 WNBA Draft

2026 WNBA Draft prospects pose for a group photo before the event at The Shed at Hudson Yards in NYC on April 13, 2026.

Suárez is a 6-foot-3 wing who can play inside and out. She was an All-Big 12 selection for the Horned Frogs after averaging 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from 3-point land. Seattle picked her 16th overall — eight spots after Golden State took Johnson — with the first pick in the second round.

On the surface, the trade seems like a big win for Seattle, as they get a first-round caliber talent in Johnson for the essentially two second round picks.

Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a senior at LSU while shooting a career-best 39.3% from beyond the arc. For her career, she shot 47% from the floor and 75% from the free throw line.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Draft trade: Flau'Jae Johnson traded from Golden State to Seattle