In a surprising turn of events, guard Kate Martin has quickly found a new home with the Los Angeles Sparks, just three days after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries. The third-year player signed a player development contract with the Sparks, adding depth to their backcourt.

Martin's release from Golden State came as a shock to many fans, especially after the team announced its official 13-player roster for the 2026 season. She appeared to be a valuable asset off the bench, having played in 42 games and averaged 6.2 points per game in limited minutes. Though she only started four games for the Valkyries in 2025, her consistent contributions made her a key rotational player.

The journey to the WNBA has been anything but straightforward for Martin. Originally drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, she was selected by the Valkyries in the expansion draft last year. Now, she joins the Sparks, a team looking to rebuild and develop young talent.

Interestingly, Martin's departure from Golden State seems tied to the emergence of second-year guard Kaitlyn Chen. Chen took a winding path to the Valkyries' final roster—she was unexpectedly drafted in the third round last year, waived before the regular season, and then re-signed in June. Her perseverance paid off, but it came at Martin's expense.

Golden State's guard rotation is stacked, led by reigning WNBA Most Improved Player Veronica Burton and veteran Tiffany Hayes. The roster also features versatile guard-forwards Justė Jocytė and Kaila Charles, though Jocytė is currently sidelined due to overseas commitments. Additionally, the recent signing of Miela Sowah—a 25-year-old guard who joined on a developmental contract after standout performances in Australia's WNBL—may have been the final push that bumped Martin off the roster.