Valkyries Waive Player They Ended Up Trading for Flau’jae Johnson

The Golden State Valkyries just cut the rookie they received in a controversial draft-night trade.

On Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries waived Marta Suárez, the No. 16 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, whom the team acquired on draft night last month from the Seattle Storm alongside a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for Flau’jae Johnson, the No. 8 pick.

Draft-Night Drama

The Valkyries were scrutinized for the trade with many perceiving the return of two second-round picks for Johnson, projected to go in the top six in many draft boards, as weak. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced the trade during the draft ahead of the No. 17 pick, and audible gasps were heard on the ESPN broadcast.

After the draft, Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin told ESPN that she made the deal with Seattle before the picks were made: “This had nothing to do with Flau’jae or any specific athlete selection.”

Once the Valkyries were on the clock to select the No. 8 pick, Seattle informed them of their decision to select Johnson.

“We didn’t think that she would be available at that point,” Storm GM Talisa Rhea said after the draft.

Asked by reporters after the draft about her decision, Nyanin avoided the question, saying she was too “exhausted” to explain her rationale. She was also asked whether the move had salary cap implications, but said she does not “talk or comment about salary cap.”

Following the Money

However, the decision to waive Suárez is another sign that the cap may have factored into the trade.

The Valkyries have 10 players under contract, according to Her Hoops Stats. With two open roster spots remaining, Golden State has about $816,490 left—and this does not include the $380,219 owed to 2025 draft pick Justė Jocytė.