The WNBA has depth, and its expansion teams are proving it | Jordan Robinson

Around the league, former role players are breaking through as stars for their new squads. Plus: the Mercury’s slump and the fits we can’t get enough of

• Sign up to get WNBA 30 in your inbox every Tuesday

When WNBA expansion was discussed in previous years, it was all about wanting more. More cities where a new batch of fans can cheer for their new home team, more roster spots to limit the painful training camp cuts, and more overall opportunity for players to showcase their talent in the best women’s professional basketball league in the world. For the three expansion teams in the last two years: check, check and check.

In a single season last year, the Golden State Valkyries were able to prove just how deep this league really is. Their star players had been role players on other teams. Veronica Burton, who was waived by the Dallas Wings in 2024, went on to win Most Improved. Kayla Thornton received her first All-Star selection after only averaging 5.5 points with the New York Liberty the season prior. Both helped the Valkyries become the first expansion team to earn a playoff spot in year one. The talent was always there, but with more varied opportunities to show their skills, the results were different.