Kate Martin lands with Sparks after being waived by Valkyries
After she was surprisingly let go by the Valkyries, Kate Martin joined the Sparks on a player development contract.
Kate Martin has found a new landing spot. The third-year guard is joining the Los Angeles Sparks , three days after getting waived by the Golden State Valkyries. Martin, 25, agreed to a player development deal with the Sparks.
Part of the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement , the contract allows her to practice and travel with the team. She can be on the active roster for 12 games, while receiving a weekly stipend ($750) in addition to a pro-rated minimum salary of $6,000. “Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in the team’s official annoucement .
“She’s confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate. We’re eager to watch Kate develop within our system. ” Golden State announced that Martin had been waived on Thursday, shortly before announcing its official 13-player roster for 2026.
Martin appeared to have just missed the cut. Martin, who originally drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, was picked by the Valkyries in the expansion draft last year. She only started four games for Golden State in 2025, but was a key player off the bench, playing in 42 games and averaging 6.