Golden State WNBA Expansion Draft Announced: Who should teams protect? Who should the Valkyries pick?

With the WNBA announcing the rules for the Expansion Draft, our crew went through every roster to give knee jerk reactions to how the draft might play out.The in-depth rules for the draft can be found here, but generalizing, each team can protect six players. The Golden State Valkyries will have the option to select one player from the remaining rostered players.Another big aspect, as explained by Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats, is that players that who have been cored twice can not be selected in the Expansion Draft.As we went through the entire WNBA, we gave vibe checks of who teams might want to keep and who they might want to let go. Los Angeles SparksLikely protected players: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens, Rae Burrell, Lexie Brown/Zia CookePotential Valkyries pick: Zia Cooke/Kia NurseDallas WingsLikely protected players: Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Jacy Sheldon, Maddie Siegrist, Teaira McCowan, Jaelyn BrownPotential Valkyries pick: Kalani BrownWashington MysticsLikely protected players: Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson, Ariel Atkins, Jade MelbournePotential Valkyries pick: Emily EngstlerChicago SkyLikely protected players: Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Chennedy Carter, Rachel Banham, Diamond DeShields, Elizabeth WilliamsPotential Valkyries pick: Isabelle HarrisonAtlanta DreamLikely protected players: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Aerial Powers, Naz Hillmon, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus/Haley JonesPotential Valkyries pick: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus/Haley Jones/Laeticia AmiherePhoenix MercuryLikely protected players: Diana Taurasi (if this isn’t it), Natasha Cloud, Sophie Cunningham, Rebecca Allen, Natasha Mack, Celeste TaylorPotential Valkyries pick: Kiki Herbert HarriganIndiana FeverLikely protected players: Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull, Damiris Dantas, Temi Fagbenle/NaLyssa Smith (hold for trade)Potential Valkyries pick: NaLyssa Smith/Grace BergerSeattle StormLikely protected players: Ezi Magbegor, Jordan Horston, Gabby Williams, Nika Muhl, Mercedes Russell, Sami WhitcombPotential Valkyries pick: No pick due to UFA clauseLas Vegas AcesLikely protected players: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Megan Gustafson, Kate MartinPotential Valkyries pick: Kate Martin (if not protected)Connecticut SunLikely protected players: Alyssa Thomas, Marina Mabrey, Ty Harris, DiJonai Carrington, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Veronica BurtonPotential Valkyries pick: Caitlin BickleMinnesota LynxLikely protected players: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, Myisha Hines-AllenPotential Valkyries pick: Diamond Miller/Alissa PiliNew York LibertyLikely protected players: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Courtney Vandersloot, Leonie Fiebich, Nyara SaballyPotential Valkyries pick: Kayla ThorntonThanks for reading No Cap Space WBB! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.With the college season right around the corner, support your team in style with Homefield! Use promo code NOCAP15 for 15% off your first purchase here! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nocapspace.substack.com