The WNBA’s CBA limitations have reared their ugly head at the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s newest expansion team.
The Valkyries had six representatives at EuroBasket, which concluded Sunday, so the team waived several players to make way for the returnees. However, Golden State decided to let go of Julie Vanloo, one of the returning players.
Vanloo, who left for EuroBasket last month, was a starter for Belgium, winners of the 2025 EuroBasket tournament. The guard returned to San Francisco immediately after winning the title, skipping out on the team’s championship parade.
But before she could report back to the Valkyries, the news broke that she had been waived. Vanloo posted on her Instagram Stories that she learned of the news when she landed.
“Just touched down in the bay. I need some time to process all of this man and put my feels into words,” Vanloo wrote while sharing the Valkyries’ Instagram post of her release.
The nature and timing of Vanloo’s release have received backlash online. Emma Meesseman, Vanloo’s Belgium teammate and the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP, replied to the Valkyries’ post, saying Golden State made Vanloo miss a “unique moment” in Belgium.
WNBA teams have just 12 roster spots, and some teams even hold just 11 players due to salary cap limitations. By comparison, the NBA has 15 full-time players with additional spots for players on two-way contracts.
Aside from higher pay, some WNBA players have called for expanded rosters in the next collective bargaining agreement, which will kick in next season, if the WNBA can agree to a deal with the union.
Tricky Business
Vanloo was at risk of losing her roster spot even before leaving for EuroBasket, as she was signed to an unprotected contract, similar to a non-guaranteed deal. Unprotected contracts will become fully guaranteed by July 13, the league’s cut-down date.
Teams have the opportunity to clear cap space by waiving players on unprotected deals to sign other players midseason, including the recently waived DeWanna Bonner or even Messeeman, should she decide to come Stateside.
Vanloo’s roster spot could have also been taken by another player. The Valkyries have not waived Kaitlyn Chen, their third-round pick, whom they re-signed in mid-June to replace those departing for EuroBasket. Iliana Rupert, a 2021 first-round pick who the team selected from the Atlanta Dream in the expansion draft, could also join the team. Rupert represented France in EuroBasket.
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