The WNBA’s growth continues — and with it comes major roster shakeups. The league announced two new expansion teams for 2026: the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, marking one of the most ambitious expansion moves in WNBA history.
With two teams joining in the same year, the upcoming Expansion Draft will see existing franchises forced to part with more talent than usual. For the Golden State Valkyries, who just built their inaugural roster last season, it could mean saying goodbye to key players — including Kate Martin.
Martin, a fan favorite, landed with Golden State through the 2025 Expansion Draft after being left unprotected by the Las Vegas Aces, the team that originally drafted her. Now, just a year later, history may repeat itself. The Valkyries are expected to prioritize protecting cornerstone players like 2025 Most Improved Player Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, and All-Rookie selection Janelle Salaun.
Beyond that, strong contributors such as Cecilia Zandalasini, Carla Leite, and rookie Justye Jocyte — who is expected to debut in 2026 after a season overseas — will also be high on the protection list. That leaves Martin potentially on the bubble once again.
Still, the Iowa alum has only grown stronger, setting career-highs in multiple categories this past season while remaining on her rookie contract — a major advantage for salary cap–minded teams like Toronto or Portland.
If unprotected, Martin could easily become a top target for either expansion team, making her one of the offseason’s most intriguing storylines. The “Golden Kate” era in the Bay might be nearing its end — but her WNBA journey is far 
from over.
