The Los Angeles Sparks signed guard Kate Martin to a Player Development Pool contract, the team announced Sunday. The move comes just three days after the Golden State Valkyries surprisingly waived Martin during final roster cuts.
Martin became a key contributor for the Valkyries during their 2025 inaugural season. She spoke to reporters about her departure after landing in Los Angeles just hours before the Sparks took on her former team, the Las Vegas Aces.
“It was brutal,” the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout said while fighting back tears. “It wasn't an easy process, and now I feel like I can relate to a lot more people on a level I never wanted to be able to relate on. But it's going to help me as a leader and a person going forward.”
The Valkyries selected Martin in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft. She averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16 minutes per game. Martin became a fixture for the team and a fan favorite, making the decision a difficult call for the franchise.
Valkyries' head coach Natalie Nakase said the decision was a hard one. “Kate was our family member and someone we cared about deeply,” said the second-year manager. “It's hard because we are trying to build the best team possible.”
What Is a WNBA Player Development Pool Contract?
Martin joins the Sparks as part of the team's Player Development Pool. Each WNBA team gets two spots to integrate players into their system without signing them to a salary-capped contract. The addition comes thanks to the league's new CBA, meaning Martin can play in up to 12 games in a Sparks jersey.
As a development pool player, she'll earn $6,136 per game and receive a weekly stipend throughout the season.
“We're eager to watch Kate develop within our system,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in a team statement.
Pebley added that Martin is “confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate” who she believes will “mesh well with Sparks basketball.”
Sparks Face Fever with Caitlin Clark-Kate Martin Reunion Possible
The team's next game on May 13th takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles against the Indiana Fever, where Martin could suit up in Sparks colors for the first time against her college teammate Caitlin Clark.
