The Golden State Valkyries made a tough call Thursday, waiving guard Kate Martin just one day before the team’s 2026 season opener against the Seattle Storm. The decision came as a surprise to many who saw the former Iowa star as a fan favorite and a key part of the franchise’s marketing push.
Martin, who joined the Valkyries in the 2024 expansion draft after a rookie season with the Las Vegas Aces, had carved out a role as a reliable bench player. In her second WNBA season, she averaged 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game over 42 appearances. But the team opted to keep Kaitlyn Chen and Laeticia Amihere instead, prioritizing on-court depth over Martin’s off-court appeal.
“I’m actually floored. Thought they would milk the marketing a little longer,” one fan posted on social media. Another wrote, “So I get it’s a basketball team but was she not one of the faces of their team? Like they almost have to keep her for marketing I fear.”
Martin rose to prominence alongside Caitlin Clark at Iowa, where the duo electrified college basketball. Clark went No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever in 2024, while Martin was selected 18th by the Aces. Martin’s popularity followed her to the pros, and the Valkyries leaned into that star power in their branding. But the front office ultimately decided that sentiment couldn’t outweigh roster needs.
“Kate Martin is the final cut from the Valkyries. They opt to keep Kaitlyn Chen and Laeticia Amihere over Martin. The move makes sense in terms of need but Martin is an incredibly popular player with a fan base that shows up in every city,” noted one observer.
Injuries and roster shifts played a role. Iliana Rupert’s pregnancy made Amihere more critical for frontcourt depth, and Martin’s own injury history may have factored in. “Well, while I definitely wrote that this was a possibility, I am still very surprised by this move. With Iliana Rupert’s pregnancy (huge congrats) Laeticia Amihere became far more important to the Valkyries’ depth. It’s also possible Martin’s injury also played a factor,” another fan wrote.
Martin’s departure leaves a void in the Valkyries’ locker room and in the hearts of fans who bought jerseys and packed arenas to see her play. The timing—hours before the season tips off—adds an extra layer of sting. For Martin, the hunt for a new team begins now, with opening night looming.
This move echoes other tough roster decisions across sports, like when the Lakers faced Luka Doncic’s injury absence or the Cardinals’ brutal 2026 schedule. In the WNBA, where every roster spot is precious, even the most popular players aren’t safe.
