What’s next for the Valkyries? Why Golden State could add star free agent to championship core

Even as the confetti rained down from the rafters in Ballhalla, it was hard to believe that the Golden State Valkyries had actually won the 2026 WNBA title in just their second year of existence. No team in North American professional sports had ever become champions that fast, and the Valkyries did it without a single All-WNBA player — a first in league history.

"All it took was good people. That's it," Finals MVP Gabby Williams said. "All we heard last year, 'We don't have no stars, we don't have no talent.' Yeah right. We got good people. We got winners. We got people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game. They don't care about scoring. They just want to play defense and rebound and do whatever it takes. We built a beautiful culture here."

The Valkyries exceeded expectations in 2025 by becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, but even after making Williams their marquee signing in free agency last offseason, no one expected them to be title contenders. If anything, their decision to punt on the 2026 WNBA Draft by trading the No. 8 pick…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/