Golden State Valkyries 2026 Offseason Moves

Golden State Valkyries Make Bold Offseason Moves Ahead of Year Two

The Golden State Valkyries are wasting no time reshaping their roster for the 2026 season. The franchise made several significant moves in April, targeting continuity and new talent. These additions follow a historic inaugural year for the Bay Area club. The Valkyries are clearly aiming to build on their remarkable debut.

The team sold out all 22 regular-season home games last year. They also became the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the playoffs. Guard Veronica Burton won the WNBA Most Improved Player award in a Valkyrie uniform. That level of early success created enormous expectations heading into Year Two.

Valkyries Sign Three-Time Champion Kiah Stokes

On April 13, the Valkyries signed center Kiah Stokes to a multi-year contract. Stokes, 33, brings three WNBA Championships to the Golden State roster. She stands 6-3 and averages 3.3 points and 5.4 rebounds across her 10-year WNBA career. Her career field goal percentage sits at an impressive 48.5 percent.

Stokes previously played under Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase in Las Vegas. The two won a pair of WNBA Championships together during that stint. Nakase served as an assistant coach with the Aces at the time. That existing relationship gives Golden State a clear advantage in integrating Stokes into the system.

Stokes also carries a decorated international resume. She won a EuroLeague championship and claimed two Turkish Cup titles. She also earned four Turkish Super League championships with Fenerbahçe. Her global experience adds significant depth and leadership to the Valkyries’ frontcourt.

All-Star Kayla Thornton Returns on New Deal

Also on April 13, the Valkyries re-signed forward Kayla Thornton to a one-year contract. Thornton, 33, made history last season as the first All-Star in Valkyries franchise history. She became only the seventh undrafted player in WNBA history to earn an All-Star selection. That achievement underscored her extraordinary rise through the league.

Thornton led Golden State in scoring with career highs of 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures in 18 of her 22 games played. The Western Conference named her Player of the Week on June 17. Golden State originally selected her in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft from the New York Liberty, where she won a championship.

Her return gives the Valkyries a proven, high-impact forward heading into the new season. Thornton’s scoring ability and rebounding provide coach Nakase with a reliable cornerstone. She is a 10-year veteran who now embraces a leadership role in the Bay Area. Keeping her was widely seen as a top priority for the front office.

Gabby Williams Joins From Seattle Storm

The Valkyries also added All-Star forward Gabby Williams in early free agency. Williams spent the last four seasons with the Seattle Storm before joining Golden State. She posted career highs across multiple statistical categories during the 2025 season. Her numbers included 11.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

Williams also shot a career-best 85.3 percent from the free throw line last year. Her versatility on both ends of the floor makes her a prized addition. The Valkyries now boast two All-Star forwards on their roster. Williams and Thornton together give Golden State one of the league’s most talented frontcourt combinations.

Kaila Charles Earns Multi-Year Extension

On April 12, the Valkyries re-signed guard Kaila Charles to a multi-year contract. Charles, 28, appeared in 18 games for Golden State last season. She started eight of those contests and averaged a career-high 7.4 points per game. She logged 19.3 minutes per contest during her time with the team.

Charles shot 46.3 percent from the floor, ranking third-best on the team. She scored in double figures five times in the final eight regular-season games. During that stretch, she twice tied her career high of 16 points in back-to-back games. Her late-season surge clearly convinced management to secure her long term.

Rookie Guard Justė Jocytė’s Contract Activated

The Valkyries also activated guard Justė Jocytė’s rookie scale contract on April 12. Jocytė represents another piece of Golden State’s growing young core. The team continues to invest in depth and future development alongside veteran additions. Her activation signals the Valkyries’ commitment to building a well-rounded roster.

These moves reflect GM Ohemaa Nyanin’s clear strategy heading into Year Two. The front office prioritizes keeping its own talent while adding proven winners. The signings of Stokes and Williams show a desire to compete at the highest level. The Valkyries are no longer just building — they are pursuing a championship.

Expansion Draft Losses and Roster Uncertainty

The Valkyries did face roster disruption through the 2026 expansion draft. The team lost Carla Leite and Maria Conde to the new expansion franchises. Conde never played for the team last season, but Leite made contributions. The front office must now find suitable replacements for those departures.

The expansion draft, held for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, posed real risks. Each of the 13 existing WNBA teams could protect only five players, down from six in 2024. The Valkyries almost certainly protected Veronica Burton, the team’s Most Improved Player. Golden State also submitted qualifying offers to Burton, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert, and Janelle Salaün.

Veronica Burton remains the franchise’s most important player. Her development into an elite point guard drives the team’s entire system. Protecting and retaining her was the organization’s top priority this offseason. Burton’s future in Golden State looks secure following the qualifying offer submission.

A Franchise Built for Long-Term Success

The Valkyries enter their second season with genuine championship ambitions. Their offseason moves reflect a franchise that refuses to settle for modest progress. Adding Stokes and Williams while keeping Thornton and Charles shows clear strategic vision. Coach Nakase now has elite talent to work with at multiple positions.

The team’s first season generated extraordinary momentum throughout the Bay Area. Selling out every home game in an inaugural year is a remarkable commercial achievement. That fan support gives the organization resources and motivation to keep improving. The Valkyries have quickly become one of the WNBA’s most exciting franchises.

Golden State did not win the championship in Year One, but the foundation is strong. The roster now combines experienced champions with young emerging talent. Williams, Stokes, and Thornton bring title-winning pedigree to the locker room. The 2026 season shapes up as the Valkyries’ most competitive campaign yet.