Golden State Valkyries target max free agent to fix scoring woes after title run
GM Ohemaa Nyanin aims to sign a star scorer next winter after the team won the 2026 WNBA championship with the league's worst offensive rating among playoff teams.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Golden State secured the 2026 WNBA championship in just its second season, becoming the first North American professional sports franchise to win a title that quickly. The Valkyries achieved this feat without a single All-WNBA selection on the roster, a league first.
The team finished with a 32-12 record and the No. 2 seed. Their defensive rating of 99.1 was more than four points better than any other franchise. They also led the league in forcing turnovers and holding opponents to 31.1 points per game in the paint.
Offense was the glaring flaw. Golden State posted a 108.2 offensive rating, ranking seventh in the league and second-worst among playoff teams. They shot 42.2% from the field, the worst mark in the WNBA. No player averaged more than 15 points per game. Finals MVP Gabby Williams led the squad with 14.4 points per game.
Williams credited the team's culture for overcoming these statistical hurdles. She noted that the group focused on defense and rebounding rather than individual scoring. Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half of Game 7, including a go-ahead three-pointer with two minutes remaining to seal the title.
General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin prepared for this offseason by trading the No. 8 pick in the 2026 draft for two second-round selections. She stated that the move was designed to maintain salary cap flexibility for a major free agent acquisition. The team currently has only $3.2 million in guaranteed contracts for the 2027 season.
The 2027 salary cap is expected to exceed the $7 million figure from the previous year due to a new revenue-sharing model. Nyanin intends to use this space to sign a max-level player. Candidates include Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum.
Collier is considered the ideal fit because she offers elite scoring efficiency without compromising the team's defensive structure. Young provides strong offensive production with moderate defensive value. Mitchell and Plum offer higher scoring potential but are viewed as defensive liabilities by some analysts.
The Valkyries will retain their No. 14 pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. Nyanin may use it to select a young player like Aïnhoa Risacher, a French forward known for defensive versatility. The team already has three French players on its roster.
