The Golden State Valkyries have waived Spanish forward Marta Suárez, marking a swift and unexpected complete to her tenure with the Bay Area franchise. The move, announced Saturday, May 2, 2026, comes just six days before the Valkyries are scheduled to open their 2026 WNBA season.
Suárez, a 23-year-old standout from Oviedo, Spain, was a central figure in a high-profile draft-night maneuver. Originally selected by the Seattle Storm with the 13th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, Suárez was acquired by Golden State via a trade that saw the Valkyries send Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle.
A Roster Crunch in Oakland
The decision to cut Suárez was part of a broader roster trimming as the Valkyries finalize their squad for the new campaign. The team waived six players in total on Saturday to meet league roster limits. Along with Suárez, the Valkyries released Ashlon Jackson, Mariella Fasoula, and Ndjakalenga Mwene, among others.
For the Valkyries, this is a critical transition period. After a historic inaugural season in 2025—where they became the first expansion team to make the playoffs and won a record 23 games—the organization is under pressure to maintain its momentum. Head coach Natalie Nakase, who earned Coach of the Year honors during that first season, is now refining a rotation designed to compete with the league’s elite.
The Path to the WNBA
Suárez arrived in the professional ranks with an impressive collegiate pedigree. A 6-foot-3 forward, she played for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, the California Golden Bears, and most recently the TCU Horned Frogs. Her final collegiate year was particularly dominant, earning her a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team and the All-Big 12 Tournament team in 2026.
Despite her collegiate success and a promising preseason where she appeared in a victory over the Seattle Storm, the “roster crunch” of training camp proved insurmountable. In the WNBA, where roster spots are among the most competitive in global sports, the gap between a draft-day acquisition and a final opening-night roster is often razor-thin.
Note for readers: In WNBA terminology, being cut
or waived
means the team has terminated the player’s contract, making them a free agent who can be signed by another team.
Strategic Implications and the ‘Flau’jae Trade’
The waiver of Suárez has drawn scrutiny from analysts due to the cost of her acquisition. The trade of Flau’jae Johnson was viewed as a significant gamble for Golden State; to lose both the acquired asset (Suárez) and the traded player (Johnson) in such a short window is a rare sequence for a franchise coming off a successful expansion year.
The Valkyries are now looking toward a challenging May schedule. The team is slated to play five of its first eight games at the Chase Center in San Francisco. High-profile matchups await, including a clash with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on May 28, followed by a game against A’ja Wilson and the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces on May 31.
As for Suárez, her status as a highly touted international prospect and a former Cal alum makes her an attractive option for other teams seeking frontcourt depth. Her ability to stretch the floor and her recent All-Big 12 honors suggest she remains a viable candidate for a roster spot elsewhere in the league.
The Golden State Valkyries will now move forward with a tightened rotation as they attempt to build upon their historic 2025 foundation. Fans can expect the final official roster to be locked in as the team prepares for its season opener later this week.
Next Checkpoint: The Golden State Valkyries’ 2026 season opener, scheduled for May 8, 2026.
Do you think the Valkyries made a mistake in the Flau’jae Johnson trade? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
