Golden State Kate “Money” Martin, a guard for the Golden State Valkyries, is the subject of tensions, and rumors of a midseason trade have escalated into outright cries.
Her role has been reduced, her minutes have been cut, and her patience is wearing thin, according to team sources who claim she has reached a breaking point. For the first time, it’s more than just conjecture: Martin might be cut from the Valkyries’ roster before the upcoming campaign.
For a while now, Martin’s circumstances have been troubling. Her role has diminished in 2025; benching, DNPs, and healthy scratches are now part of her narrative. Despite injuries elsewhere in the lineup, she didn’t even make the rotation in one recent game.
The fan base was affected by that choice. What is the reason behind the frequent absences of a player under contract? How long can she put up with this? People close to Martin say she’s frustrated behind closed doors.
After playing well for Iowa with Caitlin Clark and demonstrating her abilities in crucial collegiate games, she entered the league with confidence and momentum. She’s been up and down in Golden State, though—sometimes a spark plug off the bench, and other times invisible. She’s getting tired of the contradiction.
The Valkyries are in a difficult situation as a team. Martin has a contract that expires in 2027. Technically, trading her is difficult. The coaching staff has blamed her absence on rotation balance and schedule management. However, Martin hasn’t received the clarity that some internal voices claim players deserve. It’s normal for someone to start looking elsewhere if you sit them down to play game after game without giving them any explanation.
According to current rumors, the front office might test the market covertly. It’s unclear if they’ll assess interest internally or call Martin’s agent. One thing is for sure: the trade threat feels very real now, and it’s not just about minutes. Supporters are divided.
On the one hand, a lot of people adore Martin’s ferocious personality, her Iowa heritage, and her resilience. However, others believe her contributions aren’t steady enough to support a centerpiece trade asset. On social media, the argument is raging. She can be the team’s glue one minute and the odd piece in a puzzle the next.
Martin’s future is in jeopardy regardless of the result. It would be a daring move for Golden State to let her walk or trade her, and if she finds success elsewhere, it could come back to haunt the franchise. And it would hurt Martin a lot to be evicted from a place she still believes in. This isn’t over, that much is certain.
Kate Martin’s time with the Valkyries may come to an abrupt end as the offseason approaches. She might be traded, benched, cut, or on the move. Fans are preparing for the fallout as all eyes are on them. She is more than just a role-player. To get here, she had to fight. She may be fighting to stay now.
