The 2026 WNBA Draft is within the books, and the night featured at the very least one bombshell transfer. In a flip of occasions, the Golden State Valkyries chosen Flau’jae Johnson with the No. 8 total choose, and subsequently traded her to the Seattle Storm in alternate for Marta Suárez and a future second-rounder.
Sure, you learn that accurately—Golden State acquired zero first-round picks for Johnson. It is uncommon to see a top-10 choose moved for such minimal worth. Could not Golden State choose Suárez No. 8 total?
All alongside, Johnson was projected to be chosen among the many prime 10. Ballislife chosen the previous LSU star to the Portland Hearth with the No. 7 choose in our mock draft, however the latest enlargement franchise had different plans. Because it seems, Johnson will keep placed on the West Coast.
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“Flau’jae is without doubt one of the most dynamic, artistic and explosive gamers on this draft and we’re excited to get one other first spherical choose to pick her,” mentioned Storm Common Supervisor Talisa Rhea in a press launch. “Her playmaking, potential to attain in a number of methods and vitality on each ends of the court docket will affect our crew instantly. We can’t look forward to Flau’jae to get to Seattle.”
It has been an lively offseason for Golden State, which re-signed its core, together with Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert, and Cecilia Zandalasini. Johnson is coming off an illustrious profession through which she received an NCAA Nationwide Championship with the Tigers underneath head coach Kim Mulkey.
Flau’jae’s household already has their new Seattle Storm hats on after the commerce 😅#WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/wMFQ99VxAQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 14, 2026
Flau’jae Johnson Leads Seattle’s Rebuild
Is there a risk that Johnson wasn’t the correct match within the Bay? Was there any probability she would’ve gotten misplaced behind a guard-heavy roster that additionally contains Kate Martin and J Jocytė?
The commerce would not make a ton of sense, provided that the Storm has a crowded backcourt with Natisha Hiedeman, Jade Melbourne, Taina Mair, Lexie Brown, and Zia Cooke. And it is no shock that Seattle is getting into a full rebuild. Emerald Metropolis hasn’t been in a position to recuperate post-Breanna Stewart/Sue Chook period, and misplaced almost its whole beginning 5 in free company.
Flau’jae Johnson and her little brother after she obtained drafted ❤️ pic.twitter.com/i3OXZQe35n
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 14, 2026
Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, Brittney Sykes, Skylar Diggins—the Storm’s former core has left the franchise looking for a completely new id. Now, Johnson joins a crew that is secured a formidable frontcourt duo with Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor. With Olivia Miles off the board at No. 2 total to the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle selected one other massive by deciding on Awa Fam third within the draft.
There is definitely a chance for Johnson to develop into a franchise face and centerpiece in Seattle—how will No. 4 match with the present roster? The Storm trustworthy are among the loudest and most prideful within the WNBA—I am certain they may welcome No. 4 with open arms.
Johnson has the agility and flexibility to attain in bunches. As a two-way participant, she improved her offensive sport immensely, capturing a career-high 39.3 % from past the arc in her senior season. Though LSU fell in need of one other trophy, Johnson had a profound affect within the match. Main the Tigers to the Candy 16, Johnson averaged 19 factors, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and shot 52.4 % from the sector within the match.
Now she is going to lead a rebuild as one of many franchise’s cornerstones.
Lopsided Deal?
So, clarify why Golden State gave up a possible star-studded participant for barely something in return? Suárez isn’t any slouch—she transferred to TCU for her closing season, which paid dividends. Beginning all 38 video games, the Spain native averaged a career-best 17.7 factors, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, capturing 45.3 % from the sector and 37 % from deep. Incomes All-Massive 12 honors, the 6’3″ ahead gained consideration after her 33-point, 10-rebound outing towards Virginia within the Candy 16.
There isn’t any query that Suárez’s providers are wanted within the Bay, that’s, in the event that they select to retain rookies this time round. Monique Billings departed for the Indiana Fever, and Suárez brings measurement and the power to area the ground. Plus, she returns to the Bay Space after enjoying two collegiate seasons on the College of California.
Whereas Suárez has potential upside, most GMs handed on the Spaniard. Ultimately, she was chosen No. 16 total within the second spherical by Seattle. So inform me once more: how was Johnson traded for Suárez and a 2028 second-round choose? We’re speaking a few top-eight participant who had a prestigious four-year profession at LSU. That is absolutely a lopsided head-scratching commerce, that’s, till the season begins.
Golden State Mum on the Commerce
What’s much more weird is that Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin declined to touch upon the commerce post-draft or on whether or not the transfer had salary-cap significance, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Because it seems, a deal between the 2 groups was premeditated earlier than the draft.
„Seattle and I had an settlement to commerce picks previous to any athlete choice. I wish to be tremendous clear in regards to the draft: this had nothing to do with Flau’jae or any particular athlete choice.
„I will take a beat to have the ability to eloquently give a response… I haven’t got quite a lot of element to share. One, as a result of I am exhausted. Two, as a result of I wish to be very considerate once I’m speaking about different people and their basketball skills and the way they’d or wouldn’t present up for our squad.“
Whether or not the decision in the end determines who received the commerce, Seattle will obtain a high-energy guard who averaged 14.2 factors and 4.2 rebounds whereas capturing 46.5 % from the ground in her closing marketing campaign. A First-Workforce All-SEC and Third-Workforce All-American, she brings instant upside to the Emerald Metropolis—even when Golden State stays mum on the information. It is evident that Nyanin is retaining the information on the down low, for now.
„After I’m prepared to talk extra about what that technique is, I will communicate on it… I do not actually talk about my technique publicly as a result of different groups are watching.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Workers Author at Ballislife.com, in addition to Director of Ballislife Bets. Comply with her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
