Kate Martin and Unrivaled have parted ways through a mutual contract termination, just two months after Martin committed to a multi-year deal with the league. The sudden split adds another question mark to an already uncertain career chapter for the former Iowa Hawkeyes guard.
Kate Martin Gives Unrivaled Update
So far, neither side has explained the split.
Martin said in a statement that she's "excited about what's on the horizon," thanking the league for the competition and memories. But the timing raises eyebrows. Martin signed a new deal with the 3×3 league in August, just before she was released by the LA Sparks.
That departure was just the latest setback in a bumpy 2026 WNBA season.
After Golden State cut her days before the start of her second year with the Valkyries, Martin landed briefly with the Sparks. She subsequently left LA to finish the year on a developmental deal with the Chicago Sky.
Despite coaches praising her effort, the 26-year-old hasn't been able to lock down a steady role at the professional level.
What's Next for Kate Martin in the WNBA?
Playing in an overseas league could offer a runway to sharpen her game, but this contract termination may also close the door on Martin's pro basketball run.
Either way, she's hinted that an announcement on her future plans is coming soon.
Unrivaled is reloading, as the offseason league announced a wave of roster and coaching shake-ups ahead of its third season’s January 8th start.
Phantom BC’s Aliyah Boston will miss the 2027 season while recovering from knee surgery, while Breeze BC’s Kate Martin agreed to a mutual contract termination.
To fill the gaps, the 3×3 upstart signed one-year deals with Toronto’s Isabelle Harrison and Golden State’s Kaitlyn Chen.
The league also introduced staffing changes, bringing back five head coaches while adding three new ones across its eight clubs, with Sed Everett again managing the Player Pool.
Teresa Weatherspoon (Vinyl), Andrew Wade (Laces), Zach O’Brien (Mist), Nola Henry (Rose), and 2026 Coach of the Year Roneeka Hodges (Phantom) return to the bench, joined by newcomers Pokey Chatman, Jarell Christian, and Barb Turner.
“We’re proud to welcome back so many talented coaches who have been with Unrivaled since our inaugural season,” said President of Basketball Clare Duwelius. “Adding new coaches with fresh perspectives further strengthens this group.”
Kate Martin is staying in the WNBA. The Chicago Sky signed the guard to a developmental contract Tuesday, picking her up just days after the LA Sparks cut her in late August.
Kate Martin's WNBA Journey So Far
The move marks the fourth franchise for Martin since Las Vegas selected her 18th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
She spent time with the Aces, then went to Golden State in the 2025 expansion draft before the Valkyries released her in early May.
The LA Sparks gave her a developmental spot three days later and eventually bumped her to a standard deal, but her role never grew. Martin logged 17 games in Los Angeles and averaged 2.3 points.
What Martin Could Do for the Chicago Sky
With this new contract, the Sky gain a proven connector heading into the final stretch. She could suit up as soon as September 17th, when the schedule picks back up after the FIBA World Cup break. Chicago will be hosting the Washington Mystics in their regular season return.
Martin's résumé traces back to five seasons at Iowa, where she totaled 473 assists, good for fifth on the program's all-time list. That kind of distribution and court sense gives the Sky another needed option off the bench before the season ends.
Kate Martin's time with the LA Sparks is over. The WNBA franchise waived the former Iowa guard on Saturday, less than two months after promoting her from the developmental roster in a first-of-its-kind move.
LA Sparks Make Surprising Late-Season WNBA Roster Move
Kate Martin became the first player in Sparks history to earn a standard contract upgrade from the development pool on July 6th. But her playing time shrank through the summer despite that milestone.
In 17 games, she averaged 2.3 points with a season-high 11 points against the Toronto Tempo on May 17th.
Kate Martin's WNBA Career Put on Hold Ahead of Unrivaled Season
This marks the second time this year that Kate Martin has been cut from a WNBA team. Golden State released her just before the regular season after selecting her in the expansion draft, a move she later called "brutal." Before that, the Las Vegas Aces drafted her 18th overall in 2024.
Still, the 26-year-old guard already has her next chapter lined up. Martin re-signed with Unrivaled, the offseason league co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. A strong showing there could open another door for her ahead of the 2027 WNBA season.
A WNBA fan favorite may have found her permanent home this week. The LA Sparks announced on Monday that guard Kate Martin has signed with the team on a standard contract. The former Iowa Hawkeye was previously competing in the team’s developmental player pool during the first half of the 2026 WNBA season.
"Kate has made a meaningful impact on our group both on and off the court," said Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley. "She brings versatility on both ends of the floor, competes at a high level and consistently puts the team first."
The Sparks subsequently waived rookie Ta’Niyah Latson, selected by LA at No. 20 in the 2026 draft.
Kate Martin's WNBA Path From Vegas to Golden State to LA
Originally drafted to Las Vegas in 2024, Martin spent a season in Golden State in 2025 before suffering one of the team’s final cuts prior to the 2026 season tip-off. She made her return to the court as a development player in LA for a Sparks team struggling with roster injuries.
"I feel very grateful for the opportunity," Martin told the Long Beach Press-Telegram on Monday. "I think coming here has been great for my career."
Kate Martin is adjusting to a new reality after the Golden State Valkyries waived her before the 2026 season opener.
The former Iowa Hawkeye earned Most Improved Player honors during her first WNBA season with the 2025 expansion franchise. However, the team cut her from the roster just days before the 2026 season tipoff.
Kate Martin Opens Up About Golden State Valkyries Waiver
Martin has since signed a short-term developmental contract with the LA Sparks.
But, after a June 15th matchup that saw the Valkyries beat the Sparks 78-58 in San Francisco, the fan-favorite guard spoke candidly about the transition. She said the disappointment from the roster cut hasn't faded.
"It's still pretty fresh," Martin told reporters at a shootaround. "I don't know if it's something you fully get over."
Despite representing a new team, Martin's Bay Area fanbase showed her plenty of support on Monday night. Before tipoff, Golden State honored the guard with a tribute video and she acknowledged the standing ovation with a wave to the crowd.
Martin Faces Crucial LA Sparks WNBA Roster Decision
Now Martin faces another trade deadline.
WNBA rosters are capped at 12 active players, and her developmental contract limit with the Sparks is approaching. The Sparks must soon decide whether to add her to the full roster.
However, her 3-point shooting and defensive versatility should keep her in demand, even if she moves on from LA.
The Sparks next face the Minnesota Lynx tonight at 10 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.
Kate Martin opened her scoring account with the LA Sparks, draining a corner 3-pointer in Sunday's 106-96 loss to 2026 WNBA expansion team Toronto Tempo.
The 25-year-old recently joined the Sparks following a surprising cut by the Golden State Valkyries. Martin is now playing for her third franchise in three seasons. She started her WNBA career as a rookie with the Las Vegas Aces.
Martin splashed in a signature corner three during the matchup's first half. She went on to record 11 points across 18 minutes, marking her first scoring performance in a Sparks uniform.
The guard is looking to establish herself as a reliable piece for a Sparks team dealing with depth issues at her position. Los Angeles needs backcourt help, creating an opportunity for Martin to carve out a consistent role on the West Coast.
Martin entered the WNBA with Las Vegas, where she spent her rookie season. She went on to join Golden State in the team's 2025 expansion draft. However, the Valkyries cut her shortly before the 2026 season's tipoff, sending her to the open market where LA quickly scooped her up.
Los Angeles hopes the Iowa product can provide the steady guard play they've lacked early in the season. Martin's shooting ability and basketball IQ make her an attractive piece for the Sparks' rotation moving forward.
Where to Watch Kate Martin & the LA Sparks This Week
The Sparks next host the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday at 9 PM ET, live on Amazon Prime.
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.
The WNBA’s final rosters are set, with brutal cuts and surprise pickups dominating the week’s headlines.
Golden State waived guard Kate Martin after dropping 2026 draft-day trade subject Marta Suarez, while the team also petitions for roster relief due to Iliana Rubert’s pregnancy.
The Valkyries roster will lean on veteran talent in pursuit of another playoff-qualifying run, with just one 2026 addition — undrafted Duke product Miela Sowah — in the lineup.
“So for year two, we understand that after a successful year one, nothing carries over, not one basket, not one award,” said Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase.
“For us our goal for this season is to win a Championship. Here at Golden State, that’s the standard, that’s the expectation. We only hand out banners and collect rings. So with that type of expectation, our goal is to win.”
With just 12 roster spots and two developmental players per team, organizations faced big decisions ahead of tonight’s tipoff — though opportunities for players to rejoin squads later after WNBA roster cuts remain on the table.
European talent like Leonie Fiebich (New York), Leila Lacan (Connecticut), Awa Fam (Seattle), and Juste Jocyte (Golden State) have all seen their WNBA contracts temporarily suspended due to overseas commitments, contributing to early-season roster uncertainty.
Some are finding second chances, as Connecticut scooped up waived Chicago guard Hailey Van Lith, while the Sky signed previously cut forward Maddy Westbeld and guard Aicha Coulibaly to development contracts.
However, former Iowa Hawkeye Kate Martin remains unsigned as the WNBA tips off its 30th season tonight.
The WNBA injuries report is already starting to pile up, as new knocks and lengthy recoveries impact teams before they even step foot on a regular-season court.
New York star Sabrina Ionescu will miss at least two weeks of action. The star guard rolled her ankle during the Liberty’s preseason win over Connecticut.
"Obviously wasn't good to see," Liberty forward Jonquel Jones of Ionescu's fall. "I was able to check in with our [trainer] and stuff during the game to make sure she's OK."
The injury involves the same left foot that sidelined her for much of her 2020 WNBA rookie season. However, an MRI indicated Ionescu avoided major injury.
As teams continue trimming rosters, short-term WNBA injuries will likely spur leaner squads as key players make their way back to the court.
Chicago’s Azurá Stevens is expected to sit out the Sky’s opener. And Golden State could enter the regular season without Kate Martin due to a Grade 2 quad strain.
"Kate Martin has been diagnose with a grade two quad strain, per Valkyries. She will be diagnosed in one week (May 5)," tweeted ESPN's Kendra Andrews.
"Golden State doesn't have any more preseason games, but the Valks' season opens May 8, so depending on her what her evaluation says, Martin could be at risk at missing game play."
Indiana might also be short-staffed, as guard Lexie Hull continues to navigate a hamstring injury. And later, center Monique Billings exited the Fever’s final preseason game with an ankle knock.
"They're going to keep evaluating day-by-day and give her an opportunity to make sure she's as close to 100% as possible," Fever coach Stephanie White said, updating reporters on Billings's injury status.