Valkyries waive Kate Martin hours before the WNBA roster deadline

Kate Martin's first stop in Golden State is over before opening night. The Valkyries waived the second-year guard Thursday, just hours before the 5 PM ET WNBA roster deadline. The trigger was a pregnancy hardship designation for veteran French center Iliana Rupert, which forced Golden State to free up a frontcourt-eligible slot, with Martin still working back from a Grade 2 quad strain that had her listed as questionable for the season opener.

Martin was a fan favorite in the Bay last season — the Iowa product who was Caitlin Clark's running mate in college, picked up by Golden State in the expansion draft, and turned into a rotation piece. The cut sparked instant backlash from Valkyries fans on social media, who'd watched her become a face of the new franchise.

She clears waivers in 48 hours and becomes a free agent, with multiple teams expected to have interest if she's healthy. The Tempo, Fever, and Sun all carry frontcourt or wing depth questions. Martin is on the field — but not on a roster — when the W's 30th season tips Friday night.