Kate Martin sounds off on ‘not easy’ Valkyries release that led her to Sparks

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks made a late roster addition as the 2026 WNBA season tipped off this week with the signing of Kate Martin to a development contract. The move comes a couple of days after Martin was cut by the Golden State Valkyries amid a roster crunch.

The decision for the Valkyries to cut Kate Martin likely came down to positional need, and now she has a new opportunity with the Sparks. Speaking to media for the first time since the signing, Martin couldn’t help but get emotional when reflecting on what the past couple of days have been like.

“It was not easy at all … obviously it’s a business decision That’s what professional sports is. It’s a business and I just had to do what was best for me and my career. I just thought this was the best decision for me and I’m very, very excited to be here,” Martin said. “I’m definitely gonna give it my all. That process wasn’t easy and now I feel like I can relate to a lot more people on a knife that maybe I never wanted to be able to relate on. But it’s only gonna help me as a leader and as a person.”

Martin joins the Sparks via one of the league’s new development contracts. Each WNBA team was given two additional roster spots in addition to the standard 12, to use for developmental purposes. Those players are limited to only 12 games during the regular season, and their contracts do not count against the salary cap.

Only players with three or fewer years of WNBA experience are eligible to sign a developmental contract, and Martin qualifies with this being her third season. In years past, players getting cut during training camp was a crushing blow as far as getting another opportunity in the same season.

But for Martin, the introduction of the development roster spots helped ease the blow of being cut.

“I felt really confident in my decision on the way they [Sparks] approached me and the way they thought I would fit into this system,” Martin said. “I just feel honored for the opportunity, and opportunities don’t always come around in this league. And so for the year that I got cut, to be in a year where there are development spots, I feel very grateful for that. So my job no is just to buy in and make the most of my opportunity.”

Martin is coming off a season in which she appeared in 42 games for the Valkyries, including four starts, at a little over 16 minutes per game. She averaged a career-best 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 31 percent from the 3-point line.

The year prior, Martin shot 35.5 percent from 3-point range as a rookie with the Las Vegas Aces. Her ability to connect from distance is one of the biggest reasons why Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts wanted her on the team.

“She can shoot it. It’s no secret I love shooters and so I think it’s a great add. And I this gives her a chance in the developmental spot to just kind of settle and really pour into the player development. Her work ethic is unbelievable, it’s what makes her special,” Roberts said during her pregame press conference. “Really excited to have her. I think what we’re trying to build in our locker room, she’s a great help.”

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