Roster cuts are in full swing as the WNBA season approaches, with final decisions being made just a day before opening night. While many cuts are tough but not entirely surprising, one team is leaving fans puzzled: the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s newest expansion franchise.
This team is perhaps the hardest to predict, having the least trading history. During the expanded draft, they mainly focused on international players, which raised eyebrows since many of these prospects hadn’t played in the WNBA before.
Fast forward to the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Valkyries used the fifth overall pick on another European talent, Just Jocyte, who isn’t expected to join the league this season. They also selected Shyanne Seller with their second pick, which took fans by surprise.
In the WNBA, rookie cuts are somewhat routine, so while some fans hoped Seller could recover from her injuries and grow with the team, the decision to cut her was still a shock. Adding to the confusion, Canadian Olympian Laeticia Amihere, the eighth overall pick in 2022, implied via Twitter that she too was let go before opening night.
Thank you for your love.
– laeticia amihere (@_theblackqueen_)
Amihere, who was drafted by the Atlanta Dream after her championship win at South Carolina, has been a key player on Canada’s senior national team. Despite her national success, she struggled for playing time with Atlanta.
In the last offseason, the Dream waived her, but the Valkyries picked her up. Her preseason debut was promising, scoring 20 points in her first game. Many anticipated she would have a significant role in the team’s first season—but then came her tweet.
Shortly after, the Valkyries announced their roster cuts, confirming that Amihere was indeed cut.
This adds to the growing list of perplexing decisions by the Valkyries. With many players’ contracts expiring soon, this was an opportunity to integrate Amihere into their payroll through the 2026 season. Understanding this choice requires further insight, especially as the new collective bargaining agreement could lead to higher minimum salaries as early as next season.
