Former Chicago Sky star could help kickstart newest WNBA franchise

The WNBA expansion fans have been waiting for is finally here. The Golden State Valkyries will join the league for the 2025 season and will hold an expansion draft on December 6. 

With the expansion draft, several players could be on the move, as the Valkyries aim to build a roster with a healthy combination of veterans and young players they can develop. 

One of those players on the move could be a former Chicago Sky star. 

Courtney Vandersloot could be the perfect veteran for the Valkyries

Courtney Vandersloot is one of the best point guards in the WNBA and has a long, successful career already. The Chicago Sky drafted Vandersloot with the third overall pick in 2011 and she stayed with the team until after the 2022 season, winning a championship, making several All-Star and All-WNBA teams, and leading the league in assists during her time with the Sky. 

After the 2022 WNBA season, Vandersloot became a free agent and decided to sign with the New York Liberty. In just her second season with her new team, Vandersloot won another championship. 

Now, she may be able to help the WNBA’s newest franchise get started. 

Each team in the league gets to protect six players in the expansion draft, and Vandersloot may not be one of the six players the Liberty decide to protect. After all, she is already 35, set to hit free agency, and her minutes and production went down noticeably, ultimately leading to Leonie Fiebich starting in her place during the playoffs. 

The Liberty will definitely protect Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquil Jones, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. That only leaves the Liberty with two other players to protect. Leonie Fiebich proved herself to be a championship-level role player during her rookie season, so she will likely be on the list as well. 

After that, the Liberty have to decide if they want to protect Vandersloot, Nyara Sabally, or Kayla Thornton. Considering the team’s future and the flashes Sabally showed in the playoffs, she will likely be the last player the Liberty decide to protect. 

In that case, Vandersloot could just as well end up on the Golden State Valkyries. For an expansion team, it is important to find young players to develop and grow but also to add proven veterans to the mix. Vandersloot could be the perfect veteran to lead a young expansion team and pass on her wisdom and championship experience. The next few rookie classes are primed to produce several WNBA stars and some of them will end up on the Valkyries. Vandersloot could help develop them as her own career nears its end.