When WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that Flau’Jae Johnson, the no. 8 selection in this year’s draft, would be traded to the Seattle Storm, there were loud gasps heard inside The Shed at Hudson Yards. Based on the information that Engelbert was dishing out, it appeared that the Golden State Valkyries were getting the raw end of the deal as they traded away the former LSU star.
As netizens debated whether Johnson for the no. 16 selection Marta Suarez and a future second-round pick was a fair trade, Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin offered an “explanation” that may have just generated more questions.
“When I’m ready to speak more about what the strategy is behind it, I’ll speak on it…I don’t really speak about my strategy publicly because other teams are watching.”
Fans went on to pick apart Nyanin’s comments on the Flau’jae Johnson trade.
“That’s how ya know there was no strategy”
“girl, f*** you.”
“The plan was, there was no plan”
“if your strategy is trading top 5 talent for 2nd round picks you can keep it”
“Will be the 2nd GM to eventually get fired, Dallas Wings will be first”
“So pretty much she don’t know what she doing”
When the Valkyries made their WNBA debut last season, they exceeded expectations, securing a regular season record of 23-21 and clinching a playoff spot. Though the likes of Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton did an admirable job of anchoring the team, Golden State could have certainly used a franchise player that would lead them into the future.
Flau’jae Johnson, the former SEC Freshman of the Year who won a national title with the Tigers in 2023, had the potential to take on that role for the Valkyries. However, Nyanin apparently had other plans.
“Seattle and I Had an Agreement”: Valkyries GM Sheds More Light on Flau’jae Johnson Trade
According to another report by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou, the no. 8 selection was always going to end up in Seattle.
As per this report, Nyanin already had an agreement with the Storm front office prior to the draft.
“Seattle and I had an agreement to trade picks prior to any athlete selection.”
It remains to be seen, however, whether this piece of information will quell the outrage of Valkyries fans who had briefly looked forward to welcoming Johnson.