Valkyries trade No. 8 pick Flau'jae Johnson to Storm

Deal sends LSU star to Seattle in exchange for Marta Suarez and future draft pick

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented basketball players and court elements in a dynamic, multi-angled composition, conceptually representing the strategic maneuvering and roster changes in the WNBA draft.The Valkyries' surprise trade of their first-round pick Flau'jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm reshapes the WNBA landscape with bold roster moves.Seattle Today

The WNBA's Valkyries traded away their first-round draft pick, Flau'jae Johnson from LSU, to the Seattle Storm less than an hour after selecting her with the No. 8 overall pick. In exchange, the Valkyries received veteran forward Marta Suarez and a future second-round draft pick.

Why it matters

This surprise trade shakes up the WNBA draft and signals a shift in the league's power dynamics, with the Storm acquiring a promising young talent in Johnson while the Valkyries opt for more experienced players and future draft capital.

The details

The Valkyries selected Flau'jae Johnson, a standout forward from LSU, with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. However, the team then quickly flipped Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for veteran forward Marta Suarez and a future second-round pick.

  • The Valkyries selected Flau'jae Johnson with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
  • Less than an hour after drafting Johnson, the Valkyries traded her to the Seattle Storm.

The players

Flau'jae Johnson

A highly touted forward prospect out of LSU who was just drafted No. 8 overall by the Valkyries.

Marta Suarez

A veteran forward for the Seattle Storm who was traded to the Valkyries as part of the deal.

Seattle Storm

The WNBA franchise that acquired Flau'jae Johnson from the Valkyries.

Valkyries

The WNBA franchise that drafted Flau'jae Johnson but then traded her to the Seattle Storm.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to add Flau'jae to our roster and continue developing her talent. She's a great fit for our team's needs and long-term vision.”

— Noelle Quinn, Head Coach, Seattle Storm

“This was a tough decision, but we felt it was the best move for our franchise's future. We're confident Marta will be a great addition to our team.”

— Sandy Brondello, Head Coach, Valkyries

What’s next

The Valkyries will look to integrate Marta Suarez into their lineup, while the Storm will work on getting Flau'jae Johnson up to speed with their system ahead of the upcoming season.

The takeaway

This surprising draft-day trade highlights the constant flux and strategic maneuvering that takes place in the WNBA, as teams look to acquire the right mix of young talent and veteran leadership to build championship contenders.