Kate Martin Finds New Opportunity With Sparks After Emotional Exit From Valkyries.

LOS ANGELES — Less than a week after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries, Kate Martin was back on a WNBA sideline Sunday — this time wearing Los Angeles Sparks colors. The Sparks announced Sunday morning they had signed Martin to a developmental roster spot, giving the second-year guard a fresh opportunity just days after her departure from Golden State. Martin arrived at Crypto.com Arena shortly before the Sparks opened their season against the Las Vegas Aces, still processing the whirlwind few days that brought her to Los Angeles. “It was brutal,” Martin told reporters before pausing to gather herself emotionally. “It was a business decision. That’s what professional sports is. It’s a business.” The 24-year-old said the experience of being cut was difficult but believes it will ultimately help her grow both personally and professionally. “You can go one of two ways from this,” Martin said. “You can go down a negative path, or you can take it as a positive and learn from it and grow from it. That’s what I’m choosing to do.” Martin spent the 2025 season with the expansion Valkyries after being selected from the Aces in the expansion draft. She averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game while carving out a reliable rotation role. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged the decision to waive Martin was difficult for the organization. “Kate was our family member and someone we cared about deeply,” Nakase said. “But we’re trying to build the best team possible.” Martin said she learned of the move Wednesday and admitted leaving behind her teammates was the toughest part of the transition. “I loved my time there,” she said. “I loved my teammates. That’s the hardest part.” The Sparks quickly emerged as a landing spot because of how aggressively they pursued her, Martin said. Conversations with head coach Lynne Roberts helped solidify her decision. “They wanted me here,” Martin said. “I felt confident in my decision because of the way they approached me and thought I would fit well into this system.”

Los Angeles enters the season with heightened expectations after adding veteran talent in free agency, including Nneka Ogwumike, Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins. Martin also reunites with Kelsey Plum, her former teammate during her rookie year in Las Vegas. Martin said Plum reached out before she arrived in Los Angeles, helping ease the transition. “It’s really nice having pre-existing relationships,” Martin said. “I do feel some comfort in knowing some people.” Under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, developmental roster players can appear in up to 12 games during the season. Martin will earn $6,136 per game while active and receive a weekly stipend when inactive. For Martin, the timing of the new roster rule may have provided exactly the opportunity she needed. “I just feel honored for the opportunity,” she said. “Opportunities like this don’t always come around in this league.”