How Golden State Valkyries Can Defy Expectations Next WNBA Season

Will the Golden State Valkyries make a jump next WNBA season?

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and forward Janelle Salaun (13) celebrate after a basket against the Minnesota Lynx in the third quarter in game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center. / David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The Golden State Valkyries impressed the WNBA in 2025. Setting new records across the board for a debuting Expansion franchise with a 23-21 record and a trip to the playoffs, the Valkyries have proved to the league that they are not to be underestimated.

There's a lot to look forward to in Golden State. A now-legendary fan atmosphere in Ballhalla has made the Bay's newest hometown team beloved, and an interconnected roster is sure to be reunited in free agency. The excitement around the Valkyries will also make them an attractive destination for new free agents, which could even further enhance the Valkyries' firepower going into next season.

Sep 17, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase receives the Coach of the Year Award before the game against the Minnesota Lynx in game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images / David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Expectations are high for the Valkyries going into 2026, especially compared to the cautious projections of them before last season, when there was no precedent for the Valkyries to work from. In ESPN's Way-Too-Early 2026 WNBA Power Rankings, the Valkyries are ranked seventh, with a few surprising teams behind them.

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) gestures against the Dallas Wings during the second quarter at Chase Center. / John Hefti-Imagn Images

Ranked Ahead of Some Fellow West Coast Threats

Despite the Seattle Storm sneaking past the Valkyries in the final games of the season to finish one playoff spot higher, the Storm are just ninth in ESPN's projections, finishing behind both Golden State and the Los Angeles Sparks, who just missed the playoffs in 2025.

Just ahead of the Valkyries are the 2024 champion New York Liberty, who suffered a first-round exit in the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury, and the Indiana Fever at fifth, who expect to see the return of Caitlin Clark and can hopefully expect a full season out of their superstar.

BREAKING: ESPN has released its way-too-early WNBA power rankings for the 2026 season:

1. Las Vegas
2. Phoenix
3. Atlanta
4. Minnesota
5. Indiana
6. New York
7. Golden State
8. Los Angeles
9. Seattle
10. Connecticut
11. Washington
12. Dallas
13. Chicago

*Toronto and Portland… pic.twitter.com/lqePh48alM

— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) October 11, 2025

How the Valkyries Can Get Even Better

The opportunity to build off their surprisingly strong core with several free agents will be the Valkyries' greatest strength. If Golden State can add one or two high-impact scorers and afford their existing stars, like Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton, more opportunities to flourish, the Valkyries could fly even higher than they did in 2025.

Ballhalla will continue to rock long into the future, and the Valkyries seem likely to give their fervent fanbase plenty of reason to. The first offseason in Golden State history comes at a tumultuous time for the WNBA, with the ongoing chaos of CBA negotiations and a massive free agent class as a result.

Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) dribbles against Indiana Fever guard Aerial Powers (right) during the second quarter at Chase Center. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Emphasizing character and a tight-knit team experience, any number of prospective free agents could find themselves flocking to play under 2025 Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase and see exactly what Ballhalla is like when it's on their side. The Valkyries got used to being underdogs last season, and in the future, they could instead be the threats.

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