Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 | 2 a.m.
For the first time since 2008, the WNBA is expanding with the launch of the Golden State Valkyries.
The Valkyries will fill out their roster 3 p.m. today during the expansion draft, selecting one player from each of the league’s 12 established teams, including the Las Vegas Aces.
Teams were allowed to protect six players from being selected. The expansion player pool isn’t available for public consumption, meaning we might never know the complete list of players the Aces made available.
The list of protected players has some obvious names — we think. Take a look at our best guess as to who could be protected.
Protected players
A’ja Wilson
This is a no-brainer. Wilson is the face of the franchise as a three-time MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, two-time defensive MVP, etc. She’s also signed with the Aces through 2025.
Chelsea Gray
Gray has been the Aces’ veteran leader since arriving in 2021. Her impact on and off the court is critical to the team’s success, as seen when she missed the first 12 games of the 2024 season, and the Aces went 6-6. Gray was also given a contract extension through 2025 in May.
Jackie Young
As one of the Aces’ “core four” players, it’s safe to say that Young won’t be leaving anytime soon. The Aces also extended Young’s contract through 2025.
Kelsey Plum
Plum has been a cornerstone of the franchise for years, and this past season wasn’t any different, as she averaged 17.8 points a game. But she was the only player among the “core four” who had not resigned and will be unrestricted free agent next summer.
Kiah Stokes
Stokes and Alysha Clark underperformed this summer, leading to the forward position being constantly rotated. Unlike Clark, Stokes is not a free agent. While Stokes didn’t score as much as Clark, she was more defensively consistent. The Aces have also relied more on Stones as the fifth starter compared to Clark in the past.
Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin (20) cheers a basket from the bench during the first half of an WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. In the background, from left, are: A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum. STEVE MARCUS
Kate Martin
Martin is a long-term investment for the Aces. She quickly became a fan favorite and was a hidden gem they picked up from the WNBA Draft. Martin has yet to find her scoring touch, but this makes the most sense as the Aces’ final player to protect. Not everyone agrees with this assessment. A mock draft by the San Francisco Chronicle has Martin winding up with Golden State, where she’d be reunited with former Aces assistant coach Natalie Nakase. Nakase is the initial Valkyries coach.
Unprotected players
Tiffany Hayes
Hayes coming out of retirement and winning Sixth Player of the Year was one of the biggest wins for the Aces in 2024. She averaged nearly 10 points per game off the bench. She is an unrestricted free agent, and the Valkyries are only allowed to select one unrestricted free agent. The Fever’s Erica Wheeler and Liberty’s Courtney Vandersloot also fall into that category and could be more attractive options for the new franchise.
Sydney Colson
Another unrestricted free agent, Colson could be a popular target in the market because her personality off the court has captivated the league’s attention for years. The Aces may make a move later on to keep her, but it wouldn’t be too surprising if Golden State picks her up.
Megan Gustafsson
Gustafsson was one of the first players off the bench and started seven games at forward, a career-high. She displayed growth throughout the entire season and has upped her stock.
Alysha Clark
Clark is also an unrestricted free agent and likely not the caliber of player the Valkyries would target with their lone selection of an unrestricted free agent. Clark, 37, averaged 6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. It’s unlikely that she’ll leave via the expansion draft, but she could be gone as a free agent.