The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest franchise, will begin building their roster with the expansion draft.
The Valkyries, the league’s 13th franchise, will begin the 2025 season, which begins in May. However, the first stage begins today with the expansion project. Golden State will select players from the 12 other franchises that have not been protected or drafted by those teams, but the Valkyries cannot draft more than one player from a given team.
While it is very unlikely that the biggest stars will be available, some notable players – former starters or major players – could find themselves changing teams today.
USA TODAY Sports will live stream the WNBA Expansion Draft this afternoon and evening. Follow us 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 The Expansion Draft will be running and be sure to tune in this Friday, December 6 at 3:30 p.m. PST on @ESPN.@CarMax | Expansion project pic.twitter.com/WQWzlSuZh0
– Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) December 3, 2024
When is the 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 the Golden State Valkyries WNBA Expansion Draft
The WNBA Expansion Draft for the Golden State Valkyries will air on ESPN.
Watch the WNBA Expansion Draft with a Fubo Subscription
How does the WNBA expansion plan work?
Ahead of Friday’s expansion draft, each of the WNBA’s 12 current teams submitted a list to the league in late November highlighting all of the players the team has rights to. Each team can designate up to six protected players to its roster, making them ineligible for selection by Golden State. Any player under a primary designation — comparable to the NFL franchise tag — is also not eligible for selection. All other players are fair game to select for the Valkyries 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 it wishes.) The field of available players will include unrestricted free agents, but the Valkyries can only sign one unrestricted free agent in the whole league.
Can the Golden State Valkyries trade players?
Yes. Golden State is allowed to engage in trade negotiations from Nov. 25, the deadline for teams to submit rosters, 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 players available in the expansion draft and trade that player to a team other than its existing team; and (ii) an agreement to select (or not select) a particular player from that trade team’s list of players available in the expansion draft.
The Valkyries can also trade a select player for cap space.
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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Golden State Valkyries WNBA Expansion Draft: Live Updates, Time, TV
