Former Iowa star Kate Martin is learning a tough lesson about life in the WNBA: sometimes, the game moves faster than you can blink.

While her former college teammate Caitlin Clark has settled into a comfortable home with the Indiana Fever, Martin has been on a whirlwind tour of the league. This week, she was waived by the Golden State Valkyries—the surprise playoff team of 2025 where she had quickly become a fan favorite. Now, she's heading to Los Angeles, signing a player development contract with the Sparks in hopes of finding her footing.

Martin, who rose to national fame as Clark's sharpshooting sidekick at Iowa, is joining her third WNBA organization in just three seasons. Speaking to reporters after landing in LA, the 25-year-old guard got emotional reflecting on the sudden change.

"Obviously it's a business decision—that's what professional sports is," Martin said, visibly choked up. "I just had to do what was best for me and my career. I felt this was the best decision for me, and I'm very, very excited to be here, 1000 percent."

Martin admitted she now has a new appreciation for the many players who have bounced around the league searching for a place to call home. She's hoping that home will be in Los Angeles.

The move raises questions about the Valkyries' team culture, especially given how quickly Martin became a fan favorite in Golden State. While the franchise landed a major free agent in Gabby Williams, losing a player like Martin—who brought energy and grit to a playoff team—leaves some wondering about the direction under GM Ohemaa Nyanin.

For now, Martin is focused on making the most of her new opportunity, proving that sometimes the best moves come from unexpected departures.