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The Golden State Valkyries waived rookie Marta SuĂĄrez, the No. 16 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, after acquiring her in a controversial trade for Flauâjae Johnson. The trade drew criticism for its perceived lack of value.
The Golden State Valkyries just cut the rookie they received in a controversial draft-night trade.
On Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries waived Marta SuĂĄrez, 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 Flauâjae Johnson, the No. 8 pick.
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: âThis had nothing to do with Flauâjae or any specific athlete selection.â
Once the Valkyries were on the clock to select the No. 8 pick, Seattle informed them of their decision to select Johnson.
âWe didnât think that she would be available at that point,â 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 âexhaustedâ to explain her rationale. She was also asked whether the move had salary cap implications, but said she does not âtalk or comment about salary cap.â
However, the decision to waive SuĂĄrez 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 leftâand this does not include the $380,219 owed to 2025 draft pick JustÄ JocytÄ.
The Golden State Valkyries waived Marta SuĂĄrez after acquiring her in a controversial trade, likely due to performance or roster decisions.
The Valkyries traded Flauâjae Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Marta SuĂĄrez, the No. 16 pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
The trade was met with scrutiny, as many viewed the return of two second-round picks for Johnson, who was projected to be a top-six pick, as weak.
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The team would be left with one full-time roster spot remaining and less than $450,000 in cap space for the 2026 season. SuĂĄrez would have made $270,000 this year, meaning she wouldâve fit under the teamâs cap this year. But Golden State still has Laeticia Amihere and Kaitlyn Chen, two players on last seasonâs roster, under training camp deals.
The Valkyries may also be considering the future. All-star forward Kayla Thornton and key rotation piece Tiffany Hayes will be free agents next year, and the team may want to re-sign them, or they could try to lure another star in free agency.
Golden State already showed its ability to attract stars in free agency this offseason, when it signed All-Star Gabby Williams to a three-year, $3.75 million contract.
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