Jan 23, 2026
3 min read
General manager Ohemaa Nyanin and coach Natalie Nakase can't begin the process of shaping Golden State's roster just yet.
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The 2026 season of the Golden State Valkyries is complete, but unresolved collective bargaining has created uncertainty about what Year 2 will look like for Natalie Nakase's team.
Nakase and GM Ohemaa Nyanin cannot begin the process of building the team's roster, scouting free agents and securing players for future expansion plans until a collective agreement is reached.
The CBA expired on January 9 after several extensions, but free agency is on hold until an agreement is reached between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association.Negotiations have largely stalled due to disagreements over revenue sharing.
With the CBA out, Valkyrie fans are wondering about the makeup of its roster, which could change significantly as the franchise is expected to aggressively pursue top free agents.They won't be able to buy tickets for the team's second season at Chase Center, but that will change now that the schedule is over.
Assuming the WNBA and WNBPA come to an agreement on the new CBA, the Valkyries will play 44 games (opens in new tab), including 22 at home.The team opens the season on May 8 in Seattle against the Storm before returning to San Francisco for a May 10 home opener against the Phoenix Mercury.
The WNBA has scheduled a 17-day break in September so players can participate in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Golden State's longest home stretch of the season is a four-game stretch from May 25 to June 2. The team has two five-game stretches from July 4 to July 15 and August 21 to 30, making it just seven games in an 82-day stretch from June 28 to September 18.
Training camp begins on April 19, six days after he is scheduled to enter college.The Valkyries hold the eighth overall pick in three rounds.
In Golden State's inaugural season, two top picks were absent from the team.First-rounder Juste Iocite, 20, has decided to stay in Europe and play for Lithuania in EuroBasket 2025, but is expected to play for Golden State this year.
Second-round pick Shyanne Sellers was cut during training camp, and third-rounder Kaitlyn Chen was waived before the season but signed a new contract with the team in June and added depth at guard.
While Nakase and Nyanini will have a lot to sort out once the CBA is in place, there are early indications of what the Valkyries' roster will look like.
WNBA MVP Veronica Burton is a restricted free agent, meaning Golden State can match any offer.Given their importance in last season's spectacular playoff run, Burton isn't going anywhere.
All-Star Kyla Thornton, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in July, is technically set to become a free agent, but the Valkyries showed fan favoritism in a video announcing the schedule.That's not a move the franchise would make if Thornton plans to sign anywhere.
Considering the WNBA still needs to set rules and hold the expansion draft to the rosters of the Tempo and Portland Fire in Toronto, it is unknown how many players the Golden State will be able to protect.This leaves the future of the other rotation players - such as Carla Leite, Kate Martin, and Cecilia Zandalasini - uncertain.
