Golden State Valkyries secure first title, setting stage for active 2027 WNBA market

The Golden State Valkyries claimed their first WNBA championship on Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the Finals. Gabby Williams scored 30 points in the clinching victory, earning Finals MVP honors and cementing the franchise’s status as the first expansion team to win a title within its first two seasons. The win caps a run that saw Golden State eliminate Dallas in three games and sweep Las Vegas in the semifinals.

The championship adds to a historic 2026 season for the Valkyries, who finished with a 32-12 record and posted the league’s best defense for the second consecutive year. The team’s defensive identity remained central in the Finals, as they held Atlanta to 55 points and a 29.2% shooting percentage in Game 5. Williams, who signed with Golden State last offseason, finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and led the team in scoring during the postseason. Janelle Salaun was named the unanimous Sixth Player of the Year, while coach Natalie Nakase was a runner-up in Coach of the Year voting.

The roster remains largely intact for 2027. Golden State retains Williams, Salaun, Veronica Burton, and Kiah Stokes. Iliana Rupert returns from a pregnancy leave that caused her to miss the 2026 campaign. The front office faces a strategic decision regarding offensive firepower. While the team has succeeded without a traditional star scorer, free agents Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, and Cecilia Zandalasini are unrestricted. The Valkyries own first-, second-, and third-round picks in the 2027 draft, providing capital to pursue additional talent if the market aligns with their defensive requirements.

The Atlanta Dream, who lost in seven games, will retain their core group for next season. General manager Dan Padover has locked in Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, Naz Hillmon, Brionna Jones, and Jordin Canada on multiyear deals. Reese, who won Defensive Player of the Year and averaged a double-double in the regular season, will enter her second year under head coach Karl Smesko. Jones, who missed most of 2026 with a leg injury, is expected to strengthen the post in 2027. DeWanna Bonner and Sika Kone are the only players with expiring contracts.

The Las Vegas Aces were eliminated by Golden State in the semifinals. A’ja Wilson won her fifth MVP award, leading the league in scoring with 26.2 points per game and in blocks with 1.9 per game. The Aces lost starting forward NaLyssa Smith to a season-ending leg injury on Aug. 23 but won their final seven regular-season games. Jackie Young, who finished her career with Las Vegas, becomes an unrestricted free agent. She posted career highs in points, assists, and three-pointers this season. The Aces own second- and third-round picks in the 2027 draft.

The league will operate with 15 teams in 2027. The Connecticut Sun will relocate and become the Houston Comets. The draft lottery is set for Nov. 15 to determine the order for the 2027 draft. With the new collective bargaining agreement in place, free agency in 2027 is expected to be more active than in previous years, offering all 15 franchises a full offseason to reshape their rosters.