WNBA Expansion Draft, explained: How the picks will work, rules and more to know about Golden State Valkyries roster

Gilbert McGregor

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WNBA Expansion Draft, explained: How the picks will work, rules and more to know about Golden State Valkyries roster image

The WNBA is set to expand to 13 teams as the Golden State Valkyries will embark upon their inaugural season in 2025.

After the franchise was officially awarded to the Bay Area in 2023, the organization will check major boxes in 2024. With the Valkyries set to play their first-ever game in May, general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase will lead the efforts of roster building. That process begins with the Expansion Draft on Friday, Dec. 6.

Golden State can build out its roster by selecting non-protected players from other current WNBA teams. As such, there are rules, regulations and limitations around who the franchise will be able to select in the Expansion Draft.

Here is everything to know about how the WNBA Expansion Draft works.

MORE: Projecting the Valkyries roster in mock expansion draft

WNBA Expansion Draft, explained

Player pool

The 12 current WNBA teams can protect up to six players from being selected in the expansion draft. The remaining players on each team's roster become Expansion Draft-eligible. The pool of non-protected players can include 2024 unrestricted free agents. 

The WNBA does not reveal the list of protected players, so the player pool the Valkyries are selecting from is unknown.

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Player selection

Golden State may select up to one non-protected player from each team but is not required to select a player from each team. The franchise can elect to pass on making a selection from any team.

The Valkyries can only select one 2024 unrestricted free agent. They cannot select any player under core designation from a team. Core players are not counted towards the six players that a team can protect.

Golden State can also agree to select a player from one team and trade them to another. The franchise has the option to draft a player from one team and trade them elsewhere for cap space.

Here is an explanation of the Expansion Draft process from the Valkyries:

WNBA rosters are capped at 12 players. The Valkyries will continue their team-building process through free agency and the WNBA Draft. Golden State owns the fifth overall pick and will also select fifth in the second and third rounds of the draft in April.

MORE: Is Caitlin Clark joining Unrivaled as a wildcard?

Ineligible players

The Valkyries cannot take any players who have been on a core-player contract for at least two seasons. Among players who fit that description are:

  • Tina Charles, C, Atlanta Dream
  • DeWanna Bonner, F, Connecticut Sun
  • Brionna Jones, C, Connecticut Sun
  • Natasha Howard, F, Dallas Wings
  • Brittney Griner, C, Phoenix Mercury
  • Nneka Ogwumike, F, Seattle Storm

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.