Imagine a WNBA expansion team not only surviving but thriving in their debut season. That's exactly what the Golden State Valkyries achieved in 2025, becoming the first expansion franchise to clinch a playoff berth. But here's the real kicker: their success wasn't just luck—it was strategically built through a masterful expansion draft.
Of the Valkyries' top 10 scorers that historic season, a staggering eight were acquired through the expansion draft. This shrewd selection process laid the foundation for their 23-21 record and fourth-place finish in the Western Conference. Now, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo gearing up for their own expansion drafts in 2026, the question looms: Can they replicate the Valkyries' formula for instant success?
Let’s dive into the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft that set the stage for Golden State’s triumph, and explore the players who became the backbone of their inaugural season.
Pick 1: Iliana Rupert (Center, Atlanta Dream)
Standing at 6-foot-4, Rupert’s potential was undeniable, but her 2025 season was hampered by overseas commitments, limiting her to just 21 games. Despite this, she averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 rebounds, showcasing glimpses of her talent. Her season highlight? A 21-point outburst, including five 3-pointers, in a win against the Indiana Fever on August 31, 2025.
Pick 2: Maria Conde (Forward, Chicago Sky)
Conde’s story is one of adversity. An Achilles injury in January 2025 sidelined her for the entire WNBA season. Signed with Familia Basket Schio in Italy, her WNBA debut remains on hold.
Pick 3: Veronica Burton (Guard, Connecticut Sun)
Burton was the Valkyries' iron woman, starting all 44 games and averaging 11.9 points and six assists. Her consistency earned her the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. Her 30-point explosion against the Washington Mystics on August 13, 2025, cemented her status as a cornerstone of the team.
And this is the part most people miss: Burton’s ability to lead both offensively and defensively was a game-changer for the Valkyries. Could she be the blueprint for future expansion teams looking for a reliable star?
Pick 4: Carla Leite (Guard, Dallas Wings)
The 5-foot-9 French guard provided spark off the bench, appearing in 37 games and averaging 7.2 points. Her season-high 19 points against the Sparks on May 23, 2025, highlighted her scoring ability.
Pick 5: Temi Fagbenle (Center, Indiana Fever)
After years as a bench player, Fagbenle stepped into a starting role with the Valkyries, averaging career-highs of 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 38 starts. Her transformation from role player to starter was a key factor in the team’s success.
Pick 6: Kate Martin (Guard, Las Vegas Aces)
Martin was a steady presence off the bench, playing in 42 games and averaging 6.2 points. Her career-high 21 points in a narrow loss to New York on June 25, 2025, showed her potential to step up when needed.
Pick 7: Stephanie Talbot (Forward, Los Angeles Sparks)
The 6-foot-2 Australian started 10 of her 16 games with the Valkyries, averaging 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. Despite being waived on July 13, she quickly found a new home with the Liberty.
Pick 8: Cecilia Zandalasini (Forward, Minnesota Lynx)
Zandalasini’s 2025 season was interrupted by international commitments and a calf injury, but when she played, she delivered. In 19 games, she averaged 10.5 points, including a 20-point performance in the August 13 win against Washington.
Pick 9: Kayla Thornton (Forward, New York Liberty)
Thornton looked like the Valkyries' franchise player early on, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds in her first 22 starts. Her 29-point outing against Chicago on June 27, 2025, was a season highlight. However, a knee injury cut her season short, though she still earned WNBA All-Star honors.
But here's where it gets controversial: Was Thornton’s injury a missed opportunity for the Valkyries to contend for a higher playoff seed? Or did her early-season dominance set the tone for the team’s success?
Pick 10: Monique Billings (Forward, Phoenix Mercury)
A WNBA veteran, Billings brought reliability to the Valkyries, averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26 games. An ankle sprain in August briefly sidelined her, but her experience was invaluable.
Pick 11: No Selection (Seattle Storm)
The Valkyries opted not to select any players from Seattle, a strategic decision that raised eyebrows. Was this a missed opportunity, or a calculated move to focus on other talent?
Pick 12: Julie Vanloo (Guard, Washington Mystics)
Vanloo’s stint with the Valkyries was short-lived. After averaging 4.6 points and 4.1 assists in May and June, she was waived on June 30 following her international commitment with Belgium.
The Valkyries' expansion draft strategy wasn’t just about talent—it was about finding players who could contribute immediately and adapt to the team’s culture. But here’s the burning question: Can the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo replicate this success in 2026, or will they face different challenges in today’s evolving WNBA landscape?
What do you think? Did the Valkyries simply get lucky, or did they crack the code for expansion team success? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
