Overview
- The league and players’ union have not finalized a new CBA, keeping free agency rules, salaries and the 2026 expansion draft for Portland and Toronto in question.
- Golden State enters the offseason with five unrestricted free agents (Temi Fágbénlé, Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Monique Billings), two restricted free agents (Cecilia Zandalasini, Veronica Burton) and four exclusive-rights players (Janelle Salaün, Kaitlyn Chen, Laeticia Amihere, Iliana Rupert).
- Spotrac projects the Valkyries with about $1.40 million in 2026 cap space, and the franchise retains all draft picks under owner Joe Lacob.
- Nakase captured 53 of 72 votes for Coach of the Year after leading the expansion team to a 23–21 debut season and the WNBA’s first inaugural-year playoff berth.
- Golden State’s season ended with a 75–74 Game 2 loss to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, following a year of strong crowds and a Sportico valuation reported at $500 million.