Flau'jae Johnson draft-day trade gets more confusing after Valkyries waive Marta Suárez
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One of the most eyebrow-raising trades in recent WNBA history just got a little weirder. On Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries announced they had waived Marta Suárez, the rookie they acquired after giving up Flau’jae Johnson in a draft-day trade with the Seattle Storm.
Roster Update: The Golden State Valkyries have waived center Mariella Fasoula, guards Ashlon Jackson, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, and Miela Sowah, and forwards Cate Reese and Marta Suárez. pic.twitter.com/3s4x6eCYrr— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) May 2, 2026
Johnson was selected No. 8 overall by the Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Draft, while Suárez was taken by the Storm at No. 16. But a stunning, pre-arranged trade swapped the two rookies, with Golden State also receiving a 2028 second-round pick.
The Valkyries didn’t exactly seem thrilled after the trade, with general manager Ohemaa Nyanin repeatedly declining to explain the reasoning behind the deal.
“I think I'm going to take a beat to be able to eloquently give a response,” Nyanin said. “I don't have a lot of detail to share. One, because I'm exhausted. Two, because I want to be very thoughtful when I'm talking about other humans and their basketball abilities and how they would or would not show up for our squad."
Storm GM Talisa Rhea told reporters that acquiring Johnson was “exciting” because they “didn't think that she would be available” at No. 8. Johnson has been thriving already with her new team, scoring 32 combined points in 43 minutes of play in the Storm’s two preseason games.
Still, Nyanin said on draft night that she and the team were happy with Suárez, calling the Tennessee, Cal and TCU alum “fierce” and “fearless,” and saying that she would be a “great fit” for the Valkyries.
That may not have been the case after all, though, now that Suárez has been waived along with five other players who were practicing with the team.
It’s likely Golden State simply had an overflowing forward pool, with Kayla Thornton and Laeticia Amihere returning and the team picking up Gabby Williams from the Storm in free agency.
It’s unclear now what will happen to Suárez, a talented forward with plenty to offer in the league. One wild potential outcome, though, is that she could end up in Seattle after all — and that Golden State will end up with just a second-rounder in the end.
