The 2024 WNBA Golden State Expansion Draft is just days away, which means it’s time to predict how one of the league’s newest teams will build its roster.
Now that the Valkyries have built their front office team and selected new head coach Natalie Nakase, the team can develop its inaugural roster, which it expects to compete for championships. On December 6th, Golden State will select one player from each team while only drafting one total player eligible to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2024 season. Golden State is also permitted to make trades with teams before the draft, including specific players and moving those players to another team.
Sounds pretty easy. Right? Except it’s not, and we want to prepare you for any spicy moves that could happen. Here are For The Win’s 2024 WNBA Golden State Expansion Draft predictions:
Atlanta Dream
Predicted Protected Players:
Naz Hillmon
Allisha Gray
Jordin Canada
Rhyne Howard
Isabel Borlase (2024 unsigned draft pick)
Nyadiew Puoch ( 2024 unsigned draft pick)
Predicted Selection: Haley Jones, Guard
Haley Jones’ move to Golden State makes entirely too much sense. Jones is a Bay Area native and would likely fit in with the culture. It also makes sense for her to go somewhere she potentially has more room to thrive. She didn’t play nearly enough minutes in her first season, which affected her confidence in her skillset in year two.
Furthermore, through no fault of her own, she was asked to play the point when she was much better as a shooting guard. Jones has a knack for getting into the paint and scoring reasonably quickly and, when given the opportunity, can let it fly from deep. Additionally, she’s a good defender whose length and size (6-foot-1) are a problem for opposing players.
Chicago Sky
Predicted Protected Players:
Angel Reese
Rachel Banham
Kamilla Cardoso
Elizabeth Williams
Chennedy Carter (restricted free agent)
Michaela Onyenwere (restricted free agent)
Predicted Selection: Dana Evans, guard (restricted free agent)
It’s no secret that Dana Evans’ time in Chicago has likely run its course. Her stint with them became very complicated when the team traded for Marina Mabrey. Initially considered a starter, Evans was relegated to the bench in favor of Mabrey for inconsistent play and chemistry with Chicago’s bigs.
Unfortunately, after Mabrey left for Connecticut, Evans continued to struggle. Nevertheless, she is a sharpshooter who shouldn’t be overlooked. Evans was one of the few players who kept the Sky’s paltry 3-point production alive last season despite shooting just 37 percent from behind the arc.
Connecticut Sun
Predicted Protected Players:
Tyasha Harris
Marina Mabrey
Alyssa Thomas
DiJonai Carrington
Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Leïla Lacan (2024 unsigned draft pick)
Ineligible: DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones
Predicted Selection: Veronica Burton, guard (reserved free agent)
Predicting who the Sun value between Leïla Lacan, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Veronica Burton is not an easy choice. But ultimately, I’m sliding towards Burton.
Connecticut could still want to see what it has in Lacan, and while Burton and Nelson-Ododa had very productive stretches in the postseason, it was clear that Nelson-Ododa separated herself and became someone the Sun leaned on.
Dallas Wings
Predicted Protected Players:
Jacy Sheldon
Maddy Seigrist
Teaira McCowan
Arike Ogunbowale
Carla Leite (2024 unsigned draft pick)
Satou Sabally (unrestricted free agent)
Predicted Selection: Kalani Brown, center
Teaira McCowan is a solid 1-2 punch with Kalani Brown, making the 6-foot-7 pair of centers one of the hardest duos in the league to defend. But Golden State could set itself up very well by picking up Brown and making her a starter or having her fill the same role she has with the Wings.
Brown is a solid producer, scoring 11.7 points and 8 points a game. She’s also crafty under the basket, with impressive footwork that allows her to start with her back to the bucket but quickly pivot and attack the paint. She would be an excellent piece to build around.
Indiana Fever
Predicted Protected Players:
Lexie Hull
Caitlin Clark
Aliyah Boston
NaLyssa Smith
Temi Fagbenle (restricted free agent)
Kelsey Mitchell (unrestricted free agent)
Predicted Selection: Damiris Dantas, forward
Much has been made about what happens between Kelsey Mitchell and the Fever, but I can’t envision a world where they wouldn’t protect her. Rest easy, Fever fans (For now). The Valkyries could take veteran forward Damiris Dantas.
After returning from an MCL injury, Dantas was a welcomed addition to Indiana’s rotation. Her stats aren’t going to wow most, but she could easily slide into the same role (with perhaps a slight uptick in minutes) and provide production when called upon.
Las Vegas Aces
Predicted Protected Players:
A’ja Wilson
Kate Martin
Jackie Young
Chelsea Gray
Elizabeth Kitley (unsigned draft pick)
Kelsey Plum (unrestricted free agent)
Predicted Selection: Pass
Although I’ve previously spoken about the off chance that Kelsey Plum has played her last game for the Aces, I’m not 100 percent convinced they would risk letting her go to Golden State. Also, I think they might still want to see what they have in Liz Kitley, considering they’ve kept her this long, and A’ja Wilson still needs a backup when she isn’t on the court.
That leaves the rest of the roster up for grabs, and I don’t see any pieces worth a possible pick. Neither Kiah Stokes nor Meg Gustafson was consistent enough to stay in the starting lineup, Alysha Clark and Sydney Colson are at the tail end of their careers, and Tiffany Hayes, while fantastic, came out of retirement to play.
Los Angeles Sparks
Predicted Protected Players:
Rae Burrell
Azurá Stevens
Julie Allemand
Cameron Brink
Dearica Hamby
Rickea Jackson
Predicted Selection: Li Yueru, center (reserved free agent)
Last Season, Li Yueru stepped in to fill in the gaps when Cameron Brink unfortunately went down with an injury. Yueru was solid in her minutes, averaging just over five points and close to four rebounds a matchup.
If Golden State wants to maintain a healthy presence in a post-heavy league, the team could double down and snag Yueru to pair with another big.
Minnesota Lynx
Predicted Protected Players:
Alanna Smith
Kayla McBride
Dorka Juhasz
Bridget Carleton
Napheesa Collier
Courtney Williams
Predicted Selection: Alissa Pili, forward
Leaving Alissa Pili unprotected is likely a tough decision for Minnesota. Pili was the No.8 pick in the 2024 draft. After a super productive career at Utah, she came with high expectations. However, Minnesota’s depth is so deep that minutes for Pili were hard to come by.
Additionally, Pili doesn’t have as much speed as many of her defenders, making her transition to the WNBA more challenging. A fresh start in the Bay Area could be just what she needs to get going.
New York Liberty
Predicted Protected Players:
Nyara Sabally
Leonie Fiebich
Jonquel Jones
Sabrina Ionescu
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Breanna Stewart (unrestricted free agent)
Predicted Selection: Kayla Thornton, forward
Protecting New York’s starting five, including standout rookie Leonie Fiebich is a no-brainer. It also makes sense that the Liberty would protect Finals hero Nyaya Sabally. That leaves them with the hard choice of exposing the bench and parting ways with Kayla Thornton.
Thornton is a tough, gritty player with a silky shot to match. She did a bang-up job filling in for Betnijah Laney Hamilton when Hamilton was dealing with recurrent injuries in 2024. Her production isn’t going to leap off the page, but if Golden State wants a veteran who can be dependable when called upon, Thornton is the pick.
Phoenix Mercury
Predicted Protected Players:
Rebecca Allen
Natasha Cloud
Kahleah Copper
Sophie Cunningham
Natasha Mack (reserved free agent)
Diana Taurasi (unrestricted free agent)
Ineligible: Brittney Griner
Predicted Selection: Celeste Taylor, Guard
Moving Celeste Taylor again is not ideal, but going to Golden State could be a more permanent move. Taylor was initially drafted by the Fever in 2024 but also bounced around to the Sun before eventually landing in Phoenix.
She was a solid defensive presence with the Mercury, which could lend well to a new team. Like Alissa Pili, she needs more minutes to help her young career blossom.
Seattle Storm
Predicted Protected Players:
Nika Muhl
Jewell Loyd
Ezi Magbegor
Jordan Horston
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Gabby Williams (unrestricted free agent)
Ineligible: Nneka Ogwumike
Predicted Selection: Pass
I expect the Seattle Storm to protect its starting rotation and extend that shield to 2024 draft pick Nika Muhl, who seemingly remains a big part of Seattle’s future. That said, Seattle’s bench isn’t very enticing.
While it has formidable role-player options like Sami Whitcomb, Victoria Vivians or Mercedes Russell, all three are unrestricted free agents. Golden State could save its pick and opt to add any player later.
Washington Mystics
Predicted Protected Players:
Ariel Atkins
Julie Vanloo
Shakira Austin
Aaliyah Edwards
Karlie Samuelson
Emily Engstler (reserved free agent)
Predicted Selection: Brittney Sykes, guard
As wild as this statement is, Brittney Sykes’ time in Washington could be numbered. Sykes is one heck of a guard whose production on both ends of the floor is phenomenal. But injuries and age could force the Mystics to move on. Still, there’s plenty left in the tank.
Picking up a healthy Sykes could be a move for Golden State that would pay dividends. She could easily put up 15 points and five assists a game if the team needed her, and she could mentor younger guards on the roster. It’s a win-win situation.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2024 WNBA Golden State Expansion Draft predictions, including 3 surprise roster decisions
