Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft Breakdown | Best Picks & Biggest Surprises

[@HunterCruse14]

A couple days late on the expansion draft video, so I thought I'd go as in-depth as possible on this! I believe this is my longest video (yet), so feel free to use the timestamps to jump around & let me know if you have any questions!

[@faflafaflev3899]

loved your tweet about Martin t-shit search :D was top content.

[@HunterCruse14]

@@faflafaflev3899 lmaooo thank you so much!

[@iangrimm]

Really solid draft and great analysis. I loved the Vanloo and Leite picks. But get ready for Kate Martin jerseys flying off the shelves (yes I already checked Fanatics). Golden State Kate!

[@bobbylee9727]

In my one year as a new Fever fan, Temi Fagbenle who went to Harvard and has on and off court IQ, and is as swift as a gazelle in the fast break, nonetheless has issues with being hurt more than occasionally. Every Fever fan wanted Alyssa Smith to go to the Valkryes.

[@LaResistanceMedia]

I think with Kate Martin it comes down to 3 things. 1) She fits that 3&D vision Nakase seems to have for the team. & Also happens to fit that 'connector' archetype that Steve Kerr likes so much on the Warriors. 2) She brings in jersey sales and media attention to new team that's spending a lot more money than they normally would need to get the team off the ground 3) If a certain player from Indiana is getting a little frustrated when her rookie contract is up & they just happen to have her best friend... you never know lol

[@rollerphone]

I notice alot of these analysis videos everywhere don't show any highlights. Some of these players don't even get any minutes to show up on the court. Is a shame.

[@faflafaflev3899]

Great video i agree 100% with you about Temi and Carla and i also think Vnloo is huge steal, having VETERAN PG, that can shoot the 3 and pass is huge, she was #9 on ast, on injured team she actually created most open shoots #4 ,just hear team mates didnt finish them as expected (below league average on open shots)

[@mikailbumpus692]

Thank you Hunter. I really enjoyed this video, the breakdown and your excellent commentary. I also agree, 100% on what you said Regarding The Fever Allowing Fagbenle to be unprotected vs Smith or Dantas. The Fever are my Main WNBA Team I follow fairly closely, and I am not alone when adding that there were a great many people who were in disbelief, of The Fever’s Choices of what Players were unprotected. My only guess is there must be some kind of behind the scenes plans for a deal, or perhaps a Trade or something down the road, Because NaLyssa Smith is definitely as Far away from being a Fan Favorite as a player could be, Not to mention, she is just not a Good fit on the Fever in my opinion, Because she is just slow on the transition offense, her shooting is lackluster, she does not play with much Enthusiasm, She absolutely cannot set proper ball screens, and her defense is just not there, except on a very rare occasion, and even then it is average Defense at best. Anyway, thanks again Hunter for a great video!

[@GOLDKW-bl4gp]

I think Fagbenle was a casualty of some team offering her money they were not going to match. I do believe some players agent told the Fever their client wants to play in Indy. Could be Sabally or someone else. I think they chose Dantas 100k over Fagbenle potential 200k. Do not think either are worth those figures.

[@ayabellabhojwani24]

Omg I appreciate you for answering my questions, Hunter!

[@franzmovi]

I wrote it somewhere else. I hope the Fever is cooking a massive NaLyssa Smith trade with short and long term implications for the whole League. I know it was Temi or Grace from Indiana; knowing about the Carla Leite larceny, it seems fair to say that not protecting Temi was a bad choice. I know it is early to request a new post-Expansion Mock Draft. Are you planning to do it?

[@tooreselasebikan4573]

Great video as always. If they manage to pick up Malonga in this draft and whoever they secure for 2027(maybe Juju or booker) to pair with Leite, they’ll have a strong foundation for that yr. By that time, the three under-25 players should develop into solid rotational pieces and they can fill up the rest of the roster for a run in the 2030s. I really like the vision, to be honest.

[@jackorme2179]

Maybe you could add video clips of the draft picks, get a better feel for what you are saying about each pick

[@bwill3337]

Temi not being protected is surprising but very understandable. Prone to injury, basically just a rim runner, she wasn't a rim protector. Dantis was definitely more valuable later in the season, and next year she'll start off the season in shape. Grace was probably unprotected, but there's nothing she could give the valks that vanloo, Burton, leite don't do better. Fever fans just crashing out about temi because of how well she played with Caitlin early on. That was such a short time and when she came back the team needed something different. I hope temi gets a fresh start and can make an impact for the valks.😊

[@stevecourtois3741]

last year was the first injury of her career .

[@stevecourtois3741]

not a bright post

[@bwill3337]

@@stevecourtois3741 why? Because you disagree? Seems that the Fever agree with me, so.....

[@stevecourtois3741]

@@bwill3337 what do yhey agree with you about ?? that you are not very bright ?

[@bwill3337]

@@stevecourtois3741 See, again you resort to insults because you have nothing to add. The Fever didn't protect Temi. They likely agree with my assessment. What's your assessment? Let's have a conversation about it instead of attempting to insult me just because you don't agree with my opinion.

[@DJ_Mr_Rodge]

i said the same thing i can't believe they let carla go (but i didn't even know they had carla until draft)....we seen what she did for france and overseas....and the idea that they have her ....could mean they are confirming they are going after malonga...they got some nice pieces...some of the pieces i prefer someone else...but i think i like what they did especially with that get 3 wings that rotate/be interchangeable at the 2-4 (that what i am trying to convince chicago to do by getting sonia, aneesah and another wing like hobbs/sivka/janiah or bringing emma back)

[@nicholasmaharaj5493]

Totally agree about rupert ,i saw her playing with cbk mersin ,defensively sound who can shoot the 3 ,excellent pick . The only iffy picks imo are zandalasini and burton ,was watching burton in australia and was not impressed . Vanloo has been solid ,great passer and she might get the opportunity to run the valkyries offense .

[@tiktoksuperfan]

keeeep manifesting it!!!!

[@bwill3337]

Imo, the players on this roster that are must keep, must play....Thornton, Zandalesini, Vanloo, and Mo Billings or Temi (don't need both, the do the same thing) but im also keeping Burton. You keep Kate for the the fan base and see what she can do. The rest are commodities to sell or trade. This was a great draft for the valks. Got some good players and left room to maneuver in free agency and the 2025 draft. I predict Zandalesini will have a breakout year, kind of like Bridgette Carleton did last season.

[@DRMZ37]

As a Lynx fan im happy they didnt touch Alissa Pili. Thats my favorite team and shes my basketball crush. When the coach said she wanted shooting i just knew Pili would be the pick. But im glad shes staying in Minnesota 😅

[@Dunybrook]

I can sympathize with Dallas in one respect in that they need to fill their roster with people who can actually play for them so they have more depth in case of injuries or whatever and they already have one big player who was taking the season off and might be in who knows what shape when she comes back.

[@reedosaurus]

Never really watched WNBA but I will now with this team in the league. Picking up Kate Martin mostly influenced this decision.

[@BobG-pi8bb]

I think other teams protected their young players who were top draft picks and on rookie contracts. For example, I think Indiana protected Mitchell, and then 5 players on rookie contracts who were all top 7 picks (Clark, Boston, Hull, Smith and Berger). If Golden State had the chance to get more highly drafted players on rookie deals, they might have.

[@KeloBelin]

how about marine johnannes,is it possible for the valkyries to get johannes in the draft.

[@GOLDKW-bl4gp]

Marine Johannes is injured. Been out for a month and no information online about her. Liberty has her rights. Marine will not want to play for a team that will lose 35 to 40 games next year.

[@liloreyna]

What is W and CF?

[@TheHIDDENPLAYBOOK444]

Honestly I wish the WNBA had more teams the popularity would go up way more... For example if they got a team in Miami and Boston 😎

[@cathygregory3443]

Do you have thoughts on how the Fever can possibly make up for the loss of Temi?

[@bwill3337]

I'm not sure why the Leite pick is so surprising. The one thing the wings were not light on was young guards especially since they'll getting Paige. So for valks, cool if she comes over, if she doesn't that opens up roster space. Also, why would the valks take brown or McCowan given everything you said about them. So again, taking Leite is not shocking imo, neither is not protectingher. For wings, even if you don't want them, you protect some players just for trade value. And we don't know who they protected anyway. But anyway, as always agree or not, I love the content. Keep it up!!👊🏾👊🏾

[@DRMZ37]

I was hoping Zia Cooke would have gotten a fresh start in GS. I think in the right system she could flourish. And she plays defense and her IQ is high. Elizabeth Kitley would have been good if she wasnt protected. GS still needs another veteran in my opinion like someone in their 6th season. Would love to see them draft Betts in the first round. Ayoka Lee in the later round.

[@peakispieck]

I dont think Indiana Fever management knows that Valkyrie will get a lot of young guards that they wouldn't pick Berger. I believe Berger is more valuable than Temi.

[@stevecourtois3741]

lol why ? berger has not been good for 2 years . temi was so much more important to the team .

[@peakispieck]

@ Grace is killing it overseas. She just didn’t have enough playing time since Erica is taking her minutes. Can’t justify paying a max player not to have minutes especially if Christie Sides is the reason why Erica followed her from ATL and getting paid max. Temi has been out all year and is aging.

[@stevecourtois3741]

@@peakispieck 14 points a game is killing it ??? lol , no dude , no .

[@Iheartbaylor]

I was wondering how you felt about Janiah Barker. It seems like she's taken a dip. Maybe it's too early in the season to tell but I think she'd be a good piece for Indiana still. I would daft her with the 8th pick since they lost Temi.

[@MediaMaverick_]

Martin also appeals to SF Bay Area fan base.

[@Fitzcarlsson]

I am still upset about Temi. I have to think she wanted to go to GSV. She played for the GM in London. I am hoping that it or there is a bigger play happening. I will try to think that or they’re just stupid.

[@dayshawnterry]

Do they pick up elena delle donne

[@DANGMQ]

About 2027 draft: I have doubts that one of Juju Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo will want to play for the Toronto Tempo, assuming both are the top two picks by 2027.

[@Vadimony]

It is a 3 month season, so not that big of a deal compared to like a whole MLB season or NBA 82 game season + playoffs. Half the games are at home and the other half would be away. I doubt it would matter to someone like Juju since she's basically a million dollars right now--her summer in Toronto doesn't really matter to her. They got Hannah like 9th on "listings" for that year... She'll be outside of a top 6 pick if the group stays the same as it is for that draft class. Her being a 5'6 guard is harder to draft than the many others on that list: 7'3 center, Juju, 6'5 or more centers, and so on.

[@joshuahall1194]

Man, I like your content but is there any chance you can add pictures to the name or if you want to go crazy video clips of each player you're talking about. I started watching and following the W and am still learning to face the names. I have to research almost every name you sy

[@HunterCruse14]

I hear you! I’ll add more photos for players

[@joshuahall1194]

@@HunterCruse14 love to hear it! thank you!

[@snapwilson316]

I don't think Pili was protected. Cheryl's played around with trying to maximize these undersized, poor defensive bigs in the past in Achonwa and Sheppard and she's seen that regardless of their respective plus skills, it's not workable for a modern WNBA team with championship aspirations. With Diamond's physical deterioration, the choice was always Dorka vs. Ceci, and so was the pick.

[@natureredux1957]

Reeves doesn't develop great players like Alissa Pili. They should have left her unprotected since why would Golden State not pick her.

[@ronandanne1]

The kinda frustrating thing is that we just don't know for certain who was protected and who wasn't. I don't think they released that info.

[@snapwilson316]

@@natureredux1957 For the same reason Cheryl would leave her unprotected, better available players in both cases.

[@emmettebramble10]

Of McCown, you said that she was the worst defender in the WNBA in the last 5 years, "In my opinion." How about what the stats say, factually?

[@HunterCruse14]

Well, I gave a stat about how their rim defense this past season was the worst in recent history & that’s been a trend on every team she’s on in the W. If she’s your defensive anchor, you’re a below-average to league-worst defense by default

[@nicomillhouse]

Leite leaving is good for her in the long run, she would have been in Paige's shadow scrounging for minutes. Temi was shocking, i guess we are about to see some grace berger minutes if they did protect her, conserving caitlin should payoff for a playoff run

[@w.k.liggins2870]

Zandalasini is just a small forward.

[@w.k.liggins2870]

Grace Berger is not good enough to be protected by the Indiana Fever.

[@GOLDKW-bl4gp]

Bite your tongue. No Dam* way are the Fever bringing in AT & Bonner. They already said they want players that fit within the teams personalities. Those 2 do not.

[@GOLDKW-bl4gp]

GSV has a plan. They drafted all these International players to flip them for draft picks and trades. These International players will not come over before 2026 when the new TV money kicks in.

[@TheHIDDENPLAYBOOK444]

Kate Martin has an opportunity of being a dog... If they give her the green light to shoot oh my God..💯🤞

[@GOLDKW-bl4gp]

I am not that high on Vanloo. Kate Martin cannot get her own shot. She needs a good PG. Martin with CC had particular skills like leadership. Martin a decent 3 point shooter and spot up shooter. A average defender. She is also good at fast breaks and a good back door cutter for layups. She would be good with CC but Vanloo needs to use her in the way Iowa did. Otherwise she is very average and not a WNBA player. Seems like the Aces and this ex Aces coach is keeping Martin away from CC. Her only value seems to be ticket sales and jersey sales. Eventually Martin will be back with CC.

[@DRMZ37]

I was hoping Zia Cooke would have gotten a fresh start in GS. I think in the right system she could flourish. And she plays defense and her IQ is high. Elizabeth Kitley would have been good if she wasnt protected. GS still needs another veteran in my opinion like someone in their 6th season. Would love to see them draft Betts in the first round. Ayoka Lee in the later round.