Golden State Valkyries Shockingly Cut Former Iowa Star Kate Martin Is a Caitlin Clark Reunion Now on the Table?
The news hit like a thunderbolt just days before the start of the 2026 WNBA season.
Former fan favorite has officially been waived by the , ending what many believed would be a major second chapter in her professional basketball journey.
The announcement came Thursday morning, only one day before Golden State was set to tip off its new season against the . For Valkyries fans, the move was unexpected. For Iowa fans, it was emotional. And across the WNBA landscape, it immediately sparked one massive question:
What happens next for Kate Martin?
The timing couldn’t have been more surprising.
Martin had been viewed as one of the emotional leaders of Golden State’s young roster after joining the franchise during the 2024 WNBA expansion draft. She became part of the Valkyries’ foundation following her rookie season with the , and many expected her experience, toughness, and versatility to make her a key piece heading into 2026.
Instead, the Valkyries chose to move on.
And now the basketball world is watching closely to see where the former Iowa captain lands next.
Injury Concerns May Have Played a Major Role
While the Valkyries organization has not publicly explained the decision, one detail stands out above everything else: Martin’s recent injury battle.
On April 28, Martin suffered a Grade II right quad strain during practice an injury serious enough to sideline her for the final stretch of preseason preparations.
Speaking to reporters on May 5, Martin remained optimistic about her recovery, saying the injury was “progressing well.” Still, she admitted she had missed crucial weeks of practice leading into opening night.
In a league as competitive and roster-tight as the WNBA, missed time can change everything.
Golden State’s roster construction may have ultimately worked against her.
The Valkyries currently carry six guards, including reigning 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player . With backcourt competition intensifying and roster spots becoming increasingly valuable, the coaching staff may have felt pressured to prioritize healthy contributors available immediately for opening night.
That doesn’t make the decision any less shocking.
Because when Martin was healthy, she produced.
Kate Martin Showed Her Value During the Preseason
Before the injury setback, Martin reminded everyone exactly why she earned a place in the WNBA.
In Golden State’s preseason victory over Seattle on April 25, she started and delivered one of the most complete performances on the floor:
- 8 points
- 7 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 23 minutes played
The Valkyries escaped with a narrow 78-76 win, and Martin’s impact was impossible to ignore. She brought energy, defensive intensity, rebounding toughness, and the kind of leadership coaches constantly praise.
That performance only makes Thursday’s decision harder to understand from the outside.
During Golden State’s inaugural 2025 season, Martin averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while helping the expansion franchise reach the playoffs in its very first year an accomplishment few predicted before the season began.
She wasn’t just another role player.
She became one of the emotional identities of the team.
Fans connected with her relentless style, the same gritty approach that made her beloved during her years at Iowa alongside superstar .
At Iowa, Martin built a reputation that statistics alone could never fully capture. She defended every possession like it mattered, attacked rebounds against bigger players, and consistently made winning plays in critical moments.
That mentality translated to the WNBA.
Which is why many around the league believe this may not be the end of her story with Golden State or elsewhere.
Could Golden State Bring Her Back?
According to reports from USA TODAY, the Valkyries could still explore bringing Martin back on a developmental contract once she fully recovers from injury.
That possibility keeps the door slightly open.
Developmental roster spots allow teams to retain talent while navigating injuries, salary restrictions, and roster limitations. Given Martin’s familiarity with the system and the respect she reportedly earned inside the organization, a reunion cannot be ruled out entirely.
Still, the uncertainty creates another fascinating possibility that has already sent fans into speculation mode.
A potential reunion with Caitlin Clark.
Is Indiana the Perfect Landing Spot?
The currently have an open developmental roster spot.
And naturally, that has fueled immediate conversation about whether Martin could reunite with Clark in Indiana.
The connection makes sense on multiple levels.
Clark and Martin built one of the most recognizable partnerships in recent college basketball history at Iowa. Their chemistry helped transform the Hawkeyes into a national powerhouse and drew record-breaking audiences to women’s basketball.
But beyond friendship and familiarity, Martin also fits the type of player Indiana values.
She’s unselfish. She defends. She rebounds from the guard position. She understands Clark’s game instinctively. And perhaps most importantly, she doesn’t need the ball constantly to impact winning.
That kind of fit matters in the WNBA.
Indiana’s offense thrives on pace, spacing, and smart off-ball movement all areas where Martin has historically excelled.
Nothing has been announced, and there’s currently no indication a signing is imminent. But the possibility alone is enough to ignite massive excitement among Iowa fans still emotionally invested in the Clark-Martin connection.
And honestly, it would instantly become one of the biggest feel-good stories in the league.
From Iowa Hero to WNBA Fighter
One reason Martin continues to command attention is because her journey has never followed the easy route.
She wasn’t handed superstardom.
She earned respect possession by possession.
At Iowa, Martin evolved from dependable role player into one of the program’s emotional anchors. Her leadership became invaluable during deep NCAA Tournament runs, especially as pressure intensified around the national spotlight surrounding Clark and the Hawkeyes.
Teammates trusted her.
Coaches relied on her.
Fans adored her because she represented effort, sacrifice, and toughness every single night.
That reputation followed her into the professional ranks.
Even during her rookie season with Las Vegas, Martin embraced limited opportunities and continued developing her game. By the time Golden State selected her in the expansion draft, many believed she had found the perfect environment to grow into a larger WNBA role.
For stretches, she did exactly that.
Which is why Thursday’s announcement felt so abrupt.
The WNBA Business Reality Strikes Again
Unfortunately, stories like this are part of the brutal reality of professional basketball.
WNBA rosters remain incredibly small compared to other professional leagues, and teams often face difficult decisions balancing injuries, positional depth, finances, and long-term planning.
Sometimes talented players simply get caught in the numbers game.
That appears to be what happened here.
Martin’s injury likely created uncertainty at the worst possible moment, just as the Valkyries finalized their opening-night roster.
But if history has shown anything about Kate Martin, it’s this:
She usually responds best when doubted.
And now, with the basketball world watching, the next chapter of her career suddenly becomes one of the most intriguing stories surrounding the start of the WNBA season.
Will Golden State bring her back once healthy?
Will another franchise take a chance immediately?
Or will fans finally get the Caitlin Clark-Kate Martin reunion they’ve been dreaming about?
One thing is certain Kate Martin’s basketball story is far from over.
