ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 24: Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries shoots the ball during the game against the Atlanta Dream during Game Four of the 2026 WNBA Finals on October 24, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
After putting together one of the best bench seasons in WNBA history, Janelle Salaun’s future with the Valkyries is unclear.
Despite being a huge piece in Golden State’s championship run, she was one of the casualties of Natalie Nakase’s shortened playoff rotation.
Salaun averaged 12.7 points and 4 rebounds per game this season, with her scoring being the second-best on the team despite exclusively coming off the bench all season. In her rookie season, Salaun started 33 of her 36 games, including her WNBA debut in the Valkyries’ first franchise win.
So when she came off the bench in the opener this May, it came as a surprise, but she played well when called upon all season.
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