Golden State Valkyries Coach Natalie Nakase Gives Non-Committal Update On Marta Suarez After Waiver

The 2026 WNBA draft had drama where the Seattle franchise and Golden State Valkyries engaged in a trade that sent Flau’Jae Johnson to the Storm, and the 2025 expansion team landed Marta Suarez. Now, after the training camps and preseason games, Johnson is still thriving with Seattle gameplay, while Natalie Nakase dropped the 2026 rookie in her final 12 names, as the franchise announced its list of players released before the start of the season.

Although the Valkyries GM didn’t explain the reason for the trade, the coach came forward and answered the question on Marta Suarez’s waiver, explaining her side.

Natalie Nakase Provides Update On Marta Suarez

Just before the front office declared the roster decision, Nakase spoke about the difficulty in selecting 14 players from the training camp, and mentioned that everyone was impressive. But when the names came out, Suarez’s name shocked everyone.

Explaining the decision, Nakase said, “My job [is] to find the 14 [players] that fit together the best. Right now, we’re still in the process of evaluating. It’s still early, so seeing the connectivity between the players both on and, mostly for me, off the court, is the value that I’m looking at right now,”

#Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase talks about the decision to waive Marta Suarez and if they plan to bring her back on a developmental contract:

“We’re still evaluating and every day can be something different.” pic.twitter.com/ycXCe6ebtY

— Nathan Canilao (@nathancanilao) May 3, 2026

As per the roster decision, the franchise put its faith in veteran players who have already delivered in the league and who complement each other well on the floor. As for Suarez, the franchise could still sign her to the developmental contract.

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While the front office is nearly locked in on the team for the 2026 season, the coach has already set a target for the team in its second year. To achieve that target, the team must stay on course and on top throughout the season. There are three major questions for the team, though, that will resolve most issues.

Three Big Questions For Natalie Nakase’s Valkyries In Its Second Year

The team did well in the free agency, adding Gabby Williams to the roster. The defensive player not only provides the team with a strong defender but also a possible option on offense too. The star averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game last season, and it’s interesting to see how she will help the team do better.

New team. Same goal 🎯

Gabby Williams lookin' right at home as she joins the @valkyries for Year 8 pic.twitter.com/klmRSigcXO

— WNBA (@WNBA) April 30, 2026

Another player playing a key role this season is Veronica Burton. The MOP last season was a reason for the Valkyries’ last year’s surge, and she needs to continue delivering for the team to prove that she was not a one-season wonder. With some experienced stars around her, she would thrive in the 2026 season.

But two players won’t be enough to make an impact in the game, and players like Kaitlyn Chen and Tyffany Hayes will need to step up to support the stars of the roster. Temi Fagbenle is another experienced star on the roster, who could make a difference on the front court, where the team lost most of its players in the free agency.