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yesterday

Valkyries Trade No. 8 Pick Flau’Jae Johnson for Marta Suárez and a 2028 Second-Rounder

Lack of explanation from the GM has fueled scrutiny of the draft valuation.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Flau'jae Johnson (L) of LSU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (R) after being selected with the 8th pick in the first round by the Golden State Valkyries during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton celebrate a Valkyries win over the Washington Mystics during a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Golden State Valkyries basketball player Kayla Thornton throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Giants and the New York Mets in San Francisco, Sunday, April 5, 2026.
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Overview

  • Golden State, which selected LSU guard Flau’Jae Johnson at No. 8 on Monday, traded her rights to the Seattle Storm for TCU forward Marta Suárez at No. 16 and a 2028 second-round pick.
  • General manager Ohemaa Nyanin declined to detail the rationale, telling reporters she was exhausted and would share strategy later.
  • Reporters and fans questioned the value of moving a late first-rounder for two second-round assets, noting how often WNBA second-rounders fail to stick on rosters.
  • The team highlighted Suárez’s fit in the frontcourt and praised her IQ and character, pointing to her 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game at TCU.
  • Earlier Monday, the Valkyries re-signed All-Star forward Kayla Thornton to a one-year deal and added veteran center Kiah Stokes on a multiyear contract, with the league’s new CBA increasing minimum roster size to 12.