Golden State waived Marta Suarez on Saturday, cutting the No. 16 pick it acquired in the draft-night deal that sent Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle. Suarez was one of six players let go as the Valkyries pared their camp roster to 13 players with the season opener against the Storm approaching Friday.
Suarez now is free to sign elsewhere, though Golden State can bring her back later as one of its two developmental players. If she returns in that role, the Valkyries could activate her for up to 12 games this season. The move leaves open the possibility that the club is not done with her even after waiving her.
The roster math has become familiar in Golden State’s short history. The team used the No. 5 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft on Justė Jocytė, but she chose to remain overseas last year and is expected to join the club in the coming weeks. Golden State also cut second-round pick Shyanne Sellers during training camp last year, then got a boost in the middle of the season when third-rounder Kaitlyn Chen returned as a backup point guard and appeared in 24 games.
That pattern leaves the Valkyries balancing immediate availability against longer-term upside. Golden State got no contribution from its top draft add last season because Jocytė stayed overseas, and it still had roster decisions to make after Saturday’s cuts with 13 players left in camp. Kate Martin was dealing with a Grade 2 right quad strain and was unlikely to play Friday against Seattle, adding another layer to the uncertainty as the club headed into its opener.
For Suarez, the next step is straightforward: she can look for another team right away, while Golden State keeps the option of bringing her back if the roster picture changes. For the Valkyries, the choice is whether to treat her as a short-term cut or a piece they may still need before long.
