Valkyries Shock WNBA Draft with Pre-Draft Trade for Storm's Flau'jae Johnson

Golden State acquires rights to Marta Suarez and 2028 pick in exchange for No. 8 selection

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:21am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the complex maneuvering and strategy behind a WNBA draft day trade, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color representing the various moving parts of the deal.A bold, geometric visual interpretation of the surprising pre-draft trade that sent top prospect Flau'jae Johnson from the Valkyries to the Storm.Seattle Today

In a surprising move ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Golden State Valkyries traded the No. 8 overall pick to the Seattle Storm in exchange for the draft rights to Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round selection. The Valkyries had originally used the No. 8 pick to select LSU standout Flau'jae Johnson, but then immediately dealt her to the Storm.

Why it matters

The trade caught many by surprise, as Johnson was considered a top prospect after a standout college career. The deal highlights the complex maneuvering and strategy that can happen behind the scenes leading up to the draft, with teams making bold moves to acquire the players they covet.

The details

In the trade, the Valkyries acquired the draft rights to Marta Suarez, whom the Storm had selected with the 16th overall pick. Suarez is a 6-foot-3 post player who played at Tennessee, Cal, and most recently TCU, where she averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds this past season. The Valkyries also received a 2028 second-round pick in the deal.

  • The trade was announced just ahead of the 17th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
  • The Valkyries selected Flau'jae Johnson with the No. 8 overall pick.

The players

Ohemaa Nyanin

The general manager of the Golden State Valkyries.

Talisa Rhea

The general manager of the Seattle Storm.

Flau'jae Johnson

The former LSU All-American and 2023 national champion who was selected by the Valkyries with the No. 8 overall pick before being traded to the Storm.

Marta Suarez

The 6-foot-3 post player whom the Storm selected with the 16th overall pick and traded to the Valkyries.

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What they’re saying

“Seattle and I had an agreement to trade picks prior to any athlete selection. I want to be super clear about the draft: This had nothing to do with Flau'jae or any specific athlete selection.”

— Ohemaa Nyanin, Golden State Valkyries General Manager

“We didn't think that [Johnson] would be available at that point. We had been in conversations, and so, as we got closer to that pick, once it became a reality, just really excited.”

— Talisa Rhea, Seattle Storm General Manager

“Marta is fierce. She's fearless. We have looked at her for a really long time. ... She has a very high basketball IQ. Her high character is off the charts ... we felt like she would be a great fit.”

— Ohemaa Nyanin, Golden State Valkyries General Manager

What’s next

The Storm will look to integrate Flau'jae Johnson into their roster as they build for the future, while the Valkyries will aim to develop Marta Suarez and see how she fits into their plans.

The takeaway

This pre-draft trade between the Valkyries and Storm showcases the strategic maneuvering and complex negotiations that can happen behind the scenes leading up to the WNBA Draft, as teams work to acquire the players they covet through creative deal-making.