Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase finally addressed the team’s decision to waive Kate Martin ahead of the team’s season opener on Friday. Martin was one of the core players last year and was viewed as integral to the team’s future. However, the Valkyries shocked everyone with the decision to leave her off the roster days before the season tipped off.
As the decision continues to baffle fans and analysts alike, Nakase shared the real reason behind the Valkyries’ decision-making, which wasn’t easy for them, given how loved Martin was within the organization.
“A lot of heartache. Kate was our family member and someone we cared about deeply,” Nakase said. “And we still do care deeply about Kate. … It’s very hard because we are trying to construct the best team.”
The Valkyres made significant progress as an expansion team last season. They finished eighth with a 23-21 record, registering the most wins for an expansion team in their debut season. Golden State made it to the first round but lost to the then title favorites, Minnesota Lynx.
This year, the Valkyries added more veteran depth with the addition of Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes. Kate Martin was one of the centerpieces of their developmental project. Last season, she played 42 games, starting four times. Martin averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds, shooting 32.3 % from the field.
Kate Martin removes Valkyries from her Instagram bio
Kate Martin doesn’t seem to have a way back to the Valkyries after getting waived. She removed the team’s name from her bio, hinting Golden State is unlikely to bring her back for its final development spot. The Valkyries decided to retain Kaitlyn Chen and Miela Sowah for those positions on the roster, a choice that hasn’t gone down well with the fan base.
Martin’s a work-in-progress prospect on the court, but is one of the marketable players. If not the Valkyries, she will likely have opportunities available with several other teams. The Aces, Mystics and Fever have been listed by many as potential landing spots for Martin.
