Golden State Valkyries Struggle to Attract Free Agents Despite New Facilities
The Golden State Valkyries are facing challenges attracting free agents despite their impressive new facilities, as they look to build a competitive team from scratch.
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Ahead of their inaugural season, the Golden State Valkyries hoped their state-of-the-art practice facilities would be a selling point to free agents.
The 31,800-square-foot facility unveiled Wednesday features two full-sized courts, 17 basketball hoops, a weight room, a locker room, and a recovery center.
However, the team has yet to attract any major free agents.
"We have unlimited resources to make this the best place in the world, but I think it is challenging," Valkyries owner Joe Lacob said Wednesday. "We are a startup. We have no players that we are starting with, so I think that in itself, not to mention we're the first expansion team since 2008, it is challenging."
Sources told ESPN that Golden State made a push for free agents such as Kelsey Plum, Brionna Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot but were unable to lure them.
Because the Valkyries are starting from ground zero, they don't have many assets to make moves for big signings, especially when it comes to trades for core-designated players. Having the fifth pick in the WNBA draft ties their hands further.
"We have put our best foot forward to talk to athletes and tell our story about where we are and where we're going," general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said. "We are building from the ground up and we want them here. But we only want them here if they want to be here."
Nyanin said her approach to free agency has been "to be strategic and competitive."
A source told ESPN there doesn't seem to be an overwhelming pressure to make a big, splashy move at this point.
Golden State has turned to tapping international talent to build out its roster. On Wednesday, they announced the signings of France's Janelle Salaun, Belgium's Kyara Linskens, and Australia's Chloe Bibby.
The Valkyries' goal for their first year is to remain competitive, but understand there will be far more opportunities to take big swings for players next offseason when there is a new CBA agreement.
The overarching guiding principle for Golden State has been a message from Lacob that Nyanin said she repeats to herself every day, multiple times a day: to win a championship in five years or less.
