Kate Martin signs with new WNBA team after Dawn Staley backlash
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www.on3.comHere’s the latest on Kate Martin in the WNBA.
What’s happened recently
- Kate Martin was waived by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Sparks under a player development contract as part of their development pool. This move came as part of roster adjustments ahead of the regular season, with expectations that she will join the active rotation once eligible. The Sparks’ GM described her as a strong shooter and tenacious defender who can contribute as a high-energy teammate, though activation may depend on her recovery from a Grade 2 quad strain.[2][4]
- Prior to this, Martin’s status with Golden State included a season where she appeared in a significant number of games (42 in 2025) with averages around 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in roughly 16 minutes per game, and she dealt with an injury that delayed her preseason progression. She had been a part of the Valkyries’ playoff push in 2025, and her health and availability were ongoing storylines into 2026.[3]
Context and background
- Kate Martin entered the league as a second-round pick in 2024 (Las Vegas Aces), spent time with the Aces, and then joined the Valkyries via expansion draft in 2025, where she developed into a role player before being waived.[2][3]
- Her signing with the Sparks marks another chapter in her professional journey, with development contracts allowing teams to carry players who practice with the team and can be activated for a limited number of games, reflecting the evolving CBA rules around developmental spots.[4]
What this could mean for her moving forward
- With the Sparks, she has an opportunity to continue showcasing her shooting and defense within a new system and potentially earn a standard roster spot if she returns to full health and fits the team’s needs.[2]
- Injury recovery remains a factor; her timetable for active minutes will depend on her rehab progress from the quad strain and team decisions about workload early in the season.[2]
Illustrative snapshot (example)
- A quick look at her recent season: 42 games played, ~6.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, around 16 minutes per game; this gives a baseline for what she might contribute once fully integrated with the Sparks.[3]
If you’d like, I can track this further and pull more up-to-date details (roster status, injury updates, and game logs) as the season unfolds. I can also summarize how she fits against specific teams or lineups you care about.