The Valkyries parted ways with Kate Martin just before the 2026 regular season. Now, a WNBA insider and Golden State Valkyries insider has revealed why the team decided to show their guard the exit door.

Nathan Canilao explained the logic on Noa Dalzell's WNBA Today on CNLS. "Kate was already slated to be like maybe a fourth or fifth guard on the team," he said.

"At that point, you know you kind of have to find your front court. We needed a backup point guard, so we can’t cut Kaitlyn (Chen), and we need a backup center, so we can’t cut Laeticia (Amihere). And that kind of made Kate the odd woman out."

The team needed Amihere and Chen to support their core pieces, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, and Janelle Salaün.

"On the intel that I have on that team, she was a beloved person in the locker room. She cried; someone asked her about her time in there, and she was literally in tears. So you could see how special she was to that franchise, but I understand why they do it. It just came down to the roster crunch."

However, Martin has found another team after the Valkyries released her.

How Kate Martin has fared with the Sparks

Just days after her release, she was signed by the LA Sparks via a developmental contract.

The contract has been included in the WNBA this season and allows teams to sign two players to this deal. The players are allowed to be active for a total of 12 games.

She has featured in eight games for the Sparks so far, averaging 7.4 minutes per game. Martin has averaged 2.9 points, 0.3 blocks, and assists per game so far.

Her best game has been against the Toronto Tempo, where she scored 11 points in total, including three three-pointers. As for the LA Sparks, they have gathered momentum and are on a three-game win streak.

The Sparks hold a 7-6 record for now and will play against Martin's former team, the Valkyries, on Monday, June 15. How do you think they will fare? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi