Kate Martin Is in Danger: Will the 2026 Expansion Draft Grab Her? Create tension regarding her future with the Valkyries.
According to all accounts, Kate Martin had an incredible rookie season. Known as “The Steal of the Draft,” the former Iowa standout quickly won over Golden State Valkyries fans. She was one of the league’s most talked-about young players due to her selfless play, unrelenting defense, and upbeat attitude, and not just because of her relationship with Caitlin Clark. However, as the WNBA considers expansion in 2026, rumors are circulating the league that Martin’s tenure in the Bay Area may already be in doubt.
An expansion draft is imminent due to the WNBA’s impending expansion, which will bring in at least one new team (and possibly two). Only a select few players will be shielded from selection by the new teams, forcing each current franchise to make difficult decisions. And that is a serious issue for young teams full of depth and talent, like the Valkyries. In the middle of that storm is Martin.
It’s obvious that the Valkyries adore her. She has demonstrated poise beyond her years and been a constant presence on and off the court. Martin was the person Golden State’s veterans turned to when they needed someone to get them going off the bench. She transitioned into starting roles with ease when injuries occurred. She displayed the same tenacity that made her a legend in Iowa City, ranking among the top rookies in hustle statistics and three-point percentage. However, the harsh truth of playing professional basketball is that loyalty isn’t always a shield. Drafts for expansion are brutal. In order to retain stars or high-paying contracts, coaches and front offices frequently have to make strategic decisions that expose valuable players.
And that’s where the issue is. Martin provides an amazing return on investment, the kind of player expansion that makes teams salivate, even though he is still on a rookie-scale contract. She is marketable, talented, andperhaps most importantly instantly likable. Ask Valkyries supporters. Every time she checks into a game, the crowd comes alive, her interviews are charming and humble, and her jersey sales have skyrocketed. Kate Martin seems like the ideal cornerstone if you’re starting from scratch with a new franchise.
Many fans are becoming anxious as a result. Depending on contracts and team structure, Golden State will most likely protect its best players, including Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum. Martin might be outside the safety zone as a result. Fans of Valkyries are already tense at the prospect of losing her, even in a speculative scenario. Speculation has taken over social media. One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m going to follow her team instead if Golden State lets Kate go.” “Kate Martin is the heart of this team,” another person wrote. Keep her around.
It is simple to understand why. Martin’s influence extends beyond numbers. She exemplifies the effort, genuineness, and joy that fans adore about the game. She embodies the new wave of WNBA talent that strikes a balance between team-first mentality and superstar flair. Even though the 2026 expansion draft is still months away, Valkyries fans already feel as though the clock is ticking away. Will Golden State manage to protect their cherished rookie? Or will Martin be claimed by another team?
As of right now, the only thing that is certain is that Kate Martin’s story is far from over and that she will bring the same passion and work ethic that have made her impossible to
