Even though the Golden State Valkyries are in the thick of the playoff race, they remained the same team that has been enduring a season marred by injuries, roster changes, and more starting lineup shuffles than any coach could ever want when the WNBA trade deadline passed.
Ohemaa Nyanin, the general manager, made the choice to preserve the team’s shaky but developing chemistry rather than to create a stir. She acknowledged the temptation to bring in new talent but emphasized the value of stability, saying, “Sometimes the best move is no move.”
The numbers tell the story. With 14 different starting lineups so far this season, the Valkyries have already used a league-high 19 players. Most teams would collapse under that situation, but Golden State has maintained its position in the rankings. Part of that, Nyanin believes, comes from allowing players time to learn each other’s rhythms without another shake-up.
Of course, staying quiet at the deadline wasn’t without risk. The road ahead won’t be simple, and the Valkyries are still lacking important players. Nyanin’s selection, however, shows a strong belief in head coach Natalie Nakase’s capacity to keep this team focused and competitive.
Fans might remember last month’s gritty win over a top-tier opponent—one where bench players stepped into bigger roles and delivered under pressure. Nyanin wants to protect that kind of resilience. She believed that switching players now might have threatened the cherished unity that is created in situations like that.
The fact that this team is still in its first season is another reality. Removing important players in the middle of a game can hurt a team more than it helps in a league where chemistry can be just as important as skill. Nyanin’s strategy seems more like creating something sustainable than it does about playing it safe.
Nyanin’s quiet confidence may turn out to be the best move of the season now that the roster is set in stone. The Valkyries’ task is to stay healthy, maintain the momentum, and go on a run that is strong enough to silence any deadline second-guessers. After all, sometimes the loudest statement you can make is to say nothing at all.
