Golden State Valkyries hold $3.2 million in 2027 cap space after title win
The team finished second in the league with only $3.2 million in guaranteed contracts for next season, positioning them to sign a star player without moving current starters.
By Aiko Sato ·
The Golden State Valkyries won the 2026 WNBA championship in their second season of operation.
No North American professional sports franchise has won a title in its second year. The Valkyries also became the first champions in league history to lack an All-WNBA player on the roster. The team posted a 32-12 regular season record and secured the No. 2 seed. They finished with a 99.1 defensive rating, a mark more than four points better per 100 possessions than the next best team. Their offensive rating stood at 108.2, ranking seventh in the league and second worst among playoff teams. The Valkyries averaged 14.4 points per game for their leading scorer, Gabby Williams, which was the second-lowest total for any team's top scorer.
Gabby Williams earned Finals MVP and finished second to Angel Reese for Defensive Player of the Year. She made the All-Defensive First Team, while Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes earned All-Defensive Second Team honors. General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin traded the No. 8 pick in the 2026 draft for two second-round selections. Nyanin stated the move was designed to preserve salary cap flexibility. The team entered the season without a clear offensive anchor after French center Iliana Rupert left for maternity leave. The Valkyries started 10-7 but finished 22-5 down the stretch. They defeated the Dallas Wings in Game 3 after trailing by 16 points in the second half. They swept the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals and beat the Atlanta Dream in seven games. Williams scored 28 points in the second half of Game 7 to secure the title.
The 2027 salary cap will likely exceed the $7 million figure set for 2026 due to a new revenue-sharing model. The Valkyries currently have $3.2 million in guaranteed money on the books for the 2027 season. Nyanin can sign a maximum contract free agent and still retain enough space to fill the remaining roster spots. The free agent market includes Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum. Collier offers the most efficient scoring option and retains defensive value. Young provides elite offensive skills with acceptable defensive output. Mitchell and Plum offer higher offensive potential but weaker defensive profiles. The Valkyries hold the No. 14, No. 29, and No. 44 picks in the 2027 draft. The front office may select French forward Ainhoa Risacher at No. 14 as a defensive specialist who fits the existing roster structure.
