WNBA expansion draft explained: What you need to know as Valkyries choose roster
It’s been a month since the Liberty paraded their WNBA championship trophy up the Canyon of Heroes.The cheerful screams of fans that filled the streets for the day have been replaced by car horns, and the white confetti that dusted the streets is long gone.But general manager Jonathan Kolb’s efforts to ensure the Liberty’s championship window remains wide open — at least for one more year — are already ramping up as he prepares for the WNBA’s first expansion draft since 2008.After years of discussion about the league growing its footprint into more markets, it’s finally happening.The WNBA is set to expand from 12 teams to 15 within the next two years.The first round of expansion will take place in 2025, when the Golden State Valkyries make their debut.
The main thing the Valkyries are missing now is an actual roster.That’s where the expansion draft comes in, on Dec.6 (6:30 p.m.
ET, ESPN).Here’s what to know:The Valkyries, like the Warriors, will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco starting next season, and the team’s headquarters will be in the Warriors’ former practice facility in Oakland.Warriors owner and venture capitalist Joe Lacob said for years that he wanted to bring a WNBA team to the Bay Area.The Warriors officially won the bid to bring a WNBA franchise to the Bay Area in October 2023.In May, the franchise revealed it would be known as the Valkyries, a word that originates from Norse mythology and refers to “a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering — flying through air and sea alike,” according to a press release.Under Lacob, the Warriors established a winning reputation with four NBA Finals titles and six Finals appearances during an eight-year span.
It’s expected that he’ll bring that same mentality to the Valkyries.Golden State tabbed former Liberty assistant general manager Ohemaa Nyanin to be the team’s first GM.She helped hire former Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Natalie Nakase as the...