Golden State's Next Move: The Valkyries Prepare to Spend

The Golden State Valkyries enter the 2027 offseason with a clear advantage: a championship ring and the financial flexibility to add a star. The team won the 2026 WNBA title in just its second season, a first for North American professional sports, and accomplished this feat without a single All-WNBA player on the roster.

Head coach Natalie Nakase indicated that preserving salary cap space was the primary motivation behind the front office's recent maneuvers. She said the team traded the No. 8 draft pick, which was used to select Flau'jae Johnson, for two second-round picks. "We thought we had the opportunity to potentially sign another athlete," Nakase said. She described the ability to maneuver financially as something she values highly.

The Valkyries' path to the title was defined by elite defense and unorthodox offense. Golden State posted a 99.1 defensive rating, a mark more than four points per 100 possessions better than any other team. Opponents averaged only 14 restricted-area attempts and 31.1 points in the paint per game. Gabby Williams, who finished as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, led the All-Defensive First Team, while Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes earned Second Team honors.

On the other end of the floor, the team struggled to score. No player averaged 15 points per game, and Williams' team-high 14.4 was the second-lowest total for a leading scorer in the league. Golden State shot a league-worst 42.2 percent from the field while attempting a record 30.3 three-pointers per game. This weakness nearly cost them the season during the playoffs.

In the first round, the Valkyries trailed the Dallas Wings by 16 points in the second half of a decisive Game 3 before mounting a comeback. They then swept the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces despite shooting 36.4 percent from the field. Against the Atlanta Dream in the Finals, Golden State won the opener while shooting 32.1 percent. Their four victories in the series produced point totals of 68, 67, 64, and 68.

Williams carried the team in the decisive Game 7. Golden State trailed by nine points in the second half and was stuck at 32 points late in the third quarter. Williams scored 28 of her 30 points after halftime, tying the record for a winner-take-all Finals game. She hit the go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining. "[Coach Natalie Nakase] told me to stay patient. I trust her with my life," Williams said.

The 2027 roster is currently in flux. Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes are unrestricted free agents, while Cecilia Zandalasini is restricted and Kaitlyn Chen is reserved. The team has only $3.2 million in guaranteed money committed for the upcoming season. Although the official salary cap is not yet fixed under the league's new revenue-sharing model, it is expected to exceed the $7 million figure from 2026.

The free agent market offers several potential targets. A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum are among the notable names available. Wilson is considered a natural fit given her efficiency and defensive reputation. Young offers elite offensive skills without defensive liabilities, while Mitchell and Plum are dangerous scorers who may not align with Golden State's defensive priorities.

The Valkyries also hold draft picks 14, 29, and 44 in the 2027 draft. French forward Aïnoa Risacher is a potential draft-and-stash option for a roster that already includes three French players. General Manager Nyanin must decide whether to pursue a marquee name or rely on the current core, knowing that some players may hesitate to join a team already seen as a front-runner.