The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest franchise, will begin assembling their roster with the expansion draft.
The Valkyries, the league’s 13th franchise, will begin play in the 2025 season, which tips off in May. The first step, however, begins today with the expansion draft. Golden State will select players from the 12 other franchises that have not been protected or cored by those teams, but the Valkyries cannot draft more than one player from any given team.
While it is highly unlikely that the biggest stars will be available, some notable players – former starters or major impact role players – could find themselves changing teams today.
USA TODAY Sports will have live coverage of the WNBA expansion draft this afternoon and evening. Follow along for updates.
ICYMI: it’s Expansion Draft Week – and we’ve got all the information you’ll need to follow along.
Watch to see how the @WNBA Expansion Draft will work and be sure to tune in this Friday, December 6th at 3:30 pm PST on @ESPN.@CarMax | Expansion Draft pic.twitter.com/WQWzlSuZh0
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) December 3, 2024
When is Golden State Valkyries WNBA expansion draft?
The WNBA expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries will take place Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Golden State Valkyries WNBA expansion draft
The WNBA expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries will be broadcast on ESPN.
Watch the WNBA expansion draft with a Fubo subscription
How does the WNBA expansion draft work?
Leading up to Friday’s expansion draft, each of the 12 current WNBA teams submitted a roster list to the league in late November that highlighted every player the team has rights to. Each team can designate up to six protected players on their roster, making them ineligible for selection by Golden State. Any player under a core designation — comparable to the NFL’s franchise tag — is also ineligible for selection. Every other player is fair game for the Valkyries to select in the expansion draft.
The Valkyries can select one available player from each of the 12 teams, regardless of position. (Golden State can also choose not to select a player from a team, if desired.) The field of available players will include unrestricted free agents, but the Valkyries can only pick up one unrestricted free agent across the entire league.
Can the Golden State Valkyries trade players?
Yes. Golden State is allowed to engage in trade talks, beginning Nov. 25, the deadline for teams to submit their roster lists, until Dec. 5, the day before the expansion draft.
According to the WNBA, “Golden State will be permitted to make trades with existing teams, including (i) an agreement to select a particular player from the list of Available Expansion Draft players, and trade that player to a team other than their existing team; and (ii) an agreement to select (or not select) a particular player from such trading team’s list of Available Expansion Draft players.”
The Valkyries can also trade a selected player for cap space.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Valkyries WNBA expansion draft: Live updates, time, TV
