Paige Bueckers Reacts to Sparks Signing Kate Martin After Valkyries Release
The Golden State Valkyries' decision to waive Kate Martin after an impressive 2025 season may have come as a surprise to many, but it didn't take the third-year guard long to find a new home, and Paige Bueckers was quick to celebrate the moment.
Martin signed a developmental contract with the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, a new contract type similar to the NBA's two-way deals, with each team having two roster spots designated for developmental contracts. Players on those deals can practice and travel with the team, but can only be active for up to 12 games.
The Sparks announced the news in an Instagram post on Sunday, writing, "Sparks sign guard Kate Martin to player development pool. Welcome to LA, @katemartin!"
Several WNBA stars congratulated Martin, with Bueckers commenting, "Let's get it ."
Kate Martin is SO L.A.
— espnW (@espnW) May 10, 2026
Martin has signed to the Sparks' player development pool (via @LAsparks) pic.twitter.com/8buiXfD3UU
Bueckers and Martin recently played together for Breeze BC in Unrivaled, and the former Iowa guard had high praise for the Dallas Wings star.
"To be able to be teammates with Paige after playing against her in college and playing against her at the pro level, it's just been really cool to see how she handles her business, how she handles being a pro, and just see her mindset, her messages to the team, how she thinks about it," Martin said. "And it is truly why she is one of the best in the entire league."
Bueckers was selected No. 1 overall by the Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors after an impressive debut season. She and the Wings opened the 2026 campaign with a thrilling 107-104 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday.
Martin, meanwhile, was selected in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces, but found limited opportunities as a rookie. She was later selected by the Valkyries in the 2025 expansion draft and broke out, averaging 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 32.3% from the field and 31% from three-point range.
Martin was expected to take on an even bigger role this season, but suffered a Grade 2 right quad strain in late April before Golden State ultimately decided to move on. Now with the Sparks, she will be hoping to make the most of her developmental contract and emerge as a valuable rotational piece thanks to her perimeter defense.
Related: Valkyries Coach Makes Personal Admission After Cutting Kate Martin
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM.