With the WNBA announcing the rules for the Expansion Draft, our crew went through every roster to give knee jerk reactions to how the draft might play out.
The in-depth rules for the draft can be found here, but generalizing, each team can protect six players. The Golden State Valkyries will have the option to select one player from the remaining rostered players.
Another big aspect, as explained by Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats, is that players that who have been cored twice can not be selected in the Expansion Draft.
As we went through the entire WNBA, we gave vibe checks of who teams might want to keep and who they might want to let go.
Los Angeles Sparks
Likely protected players: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens, Rae Burrell, Lexie Brown/Zia Cooke
Potential Valkyries pick: Zia Cooke/Kia Nurse
Dallas Wings
Likely protected players: Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Jacy Sheldon, Maddie Siegrist, Teaira McCowan, Jaelyn Brown
Potential Valkyries pick: Kalani Brown
Washington Mystics
Likely protected players: Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson, Ariel Atkins, Jade Melbourne
Potential Valkyries pick: Emily Engstler
Chicago Sky
Likely protected players: Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Chennedy Carter, Rachel Banham, Diamond DeShields, Elizabeth Williams
Potential Valkyries pick: Isabelle Harrison
Atlanta Dream
Likely protected players: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Aerial Powers, Naz Hillmon, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus/Haley Jones
Potential Valkyries pick: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus/Haley Jones/Laeticia Amihere
Phoenix Mercury
Likely protected players: Diana Taurasi (if this isn’t it), Natasha Cloud, Sophie Cunningham, Rebecca Allen, Natasha Mack, Celeste Taylor
Potential Valkyries pick: Kiki Herbert Harrigan
Indiana Fever
Likely protected players: Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull, Damiris Dantas, Temi Fagbenle/NaLyssa Smith (hold for trade)
Potential Valkyries pick: NaLyssa Smith/Grace Berger
Seattle Storm
Likely protected players: Ezi Magbegor, Jordan Horston, Gabby Williams, Nika Muhl, Mercedes Russell, Sami Whitcomb
Potential Valkyries pick: No pick due to UFA clause
Las Vegas Aces
Likely protected players: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Megan Gustafson, Kate Martin
Potential Valkyries pick: Kate Martin (if not protected)
Connecticut Sun
Likely protected players: Alyssa Thomas, Marina Mabrey, Ty Harris, DiJonai Carrington, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Veronica Burton
Potential Valkyries pick: Caitlin Bickle
Minnesota Lynx
Likely protected players: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, Myisha Hines-Allen
Potential Valkyries pick: Diamond Miller/Alissa Pili
New York Liberty
Likely protected players: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Courtney Vandersloot, Leonie Fiebich, Nyara Sabally
Potential Valkyries pick: Kayla Thornton
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