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Let’s play a game.
I will present four statements. Three of them are undeniable basketball truths, and one is a stretch. When you find it, the only reward here is that you’ll lead provocative conversations all the way to the end of the WNBA Finals and free agency.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Stretch 4 Golden State Valkyries Edition.
Now that you know the object of the “game”, let’s get into it.
- Golden State’s trajectory is anything but normal. It takes trial and error over the years of an expansion franchise to build an identity and fight.
- A coach who attracts players is just as important as talent. Natalie Nakase owns her roster and it’s integral to their success.
- As great as the Valkyries are, their offense is sometimes a weakness. They have to decide whether they will win the title or not.
- A question of sustainability and chemistry. Valkyries are just as united and successful as they are.
This “game” was a thought experiment. Golden State’s rise challenges accepted basketball norms as well as inspires them. Their success challenged what I believed to be true. In July, I took a clear position. I believed the Valkyries needed a true number one option when the offense couldn’t stop and the defense couldn’t contain them. They are in the WNBA Finals and have a real shot at winning the title without one.
Now, as the Valkyries challenge for a title in only their second year of existence, the question is whether they still need that truth. 1 option remains.
Do you upgrade?
In my pieceI argued that while the Valkyries created offensive and shooting profiles with spacing, ball movement and dribble passing, they lacked a reliable source of paint pressure and individual shots, a deficiency that was evident in the regular season ranking of 14th in points per game (82.2), in the paint (31.0), and 11th per game (89 points).
“Valks” is the perimeter control team. So when opposing defenses take the perimeter, they struggle to create opportunities in the paint, and I suggested a guard who can do that – A guard who can bend the defense to his will can open up more opportunities in the system and force the defense to decide what to accept.
The title does not necessarily deny the need for improvement in this area. While excellent spacing and ball movement work for the Valkyries, a player who can create when moves stop and create in the paint will give their offense a fresh and sharper dimension as the court improves.
If it doesn’t break…
Golden State’s calling card so far this season and postseason has been their defense. Although ‘Valkatraz’ took Golden State to the Finals, what was most surprising was their offense in the clutch.
The Valkyries outscored opponents by six points in 26 clutch minutes and finished second with a 3-1 record in postseason games in “clutch time” scenarios. Forward Gabby Williams leads the league in clutch total playoff scoring with 25 points on a 41.1 percent usage rate.
Williams was a target for the Vols at both ends of the season due to his ability to impact the game. His versatile perimeter defense puts pressure on guards and wings in a way that makes it difficult even for opponents to mimic the offense. His disruption creates opportunities in transition.
Offensively, Williams is proving that he can score with the pressure of the game, which was my concern for Golden State in July.
A roster upgrade could be seen as adding players who can maximize and complement Williams’ skill set, and it doesn’t necessarily mean making a big splash in free agency.
Golden State’s foundation of perimeter-based offense and suffocating defense led them to the Finals in their second year of existence. While adding a star and another offensive option is a logical move, it doesn’t guarantee postseason success. In some cases, especially if the supplement does not fit properly, it can break the durability.
The Valkyries tend to make lies out of basketball truths. Their berth in the 2026 WNBA Finals is the most obvious example. This offseason, the challenge isn’t just deciding if they need a “star,” but whether the star they need is already in Ballhalla.