Kayla Thornton Opts To Stay In California After Inking 1-Year Deal With Golden State Valkyries
Kayla Thornton is not departing from the West Coast after all. The Golden State Valkyries announced Monday they have re-signed the forward to a one-year contract for the upcoming season. She was an integral part of the expansion franchise last season and supplemented the Valkyries with a veteran presence who has won a WNBA title in her career.
Thornton earned her first All-Star nod last season, which was also the first All-Star for the Valkyries in franchise history. She averaged career highs in points (14.0), rebounds (7.0), and steals (1.3). Unfortunately, a knee injury sustained in July prematurely halted what was otherwise her most statistically accomplished campaign as a pro. There will be an appetizing opportunity to build on last year while simultaneously buoying Golden State to greater heights.
Thornton Has Been On Quite A Two-Year Run
Before last season with the Valkyries, Thornton was in the midst of a two-year stint approximately 3,000 miles away with the New York Liberty. The 10-year veteran out of UTEP was a key contributor for the East Coast franchise, playing in all 40 regular-season contests and even starting 10 of them. Compared to 2023, she saw significant bumps in points (4.5 PPG to 5.5 PPG) and free throw percentage (.767 in 2023, .846 in 2024).
Thornton did not assume a noteworthy role with the Liberty in the postseason. Her minutes dipped from 20.2 per game to 12.5 in the playoffs, which cascaded to a precipitous decrease in her offensive production (5.5 PPG to 2.2 PPG). Still, Thornton was a part of the Liberty squadron that triumphed as champions of the WNBA for the first time in team history.
After winning with the Liberty, Thornton was selected by the then-inaugural Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft. At the time, it seemed a sensible pick for the newly minted squad: veteran ball player with a championship pedigree. However, perhaps nobody, not even Kayla herself, could have foreseen the career production she provided for the Valkyries. Her season was vital in Golden State securing a playoff spot with a 23-21 record.
The only circumstance that marred two years filled with winning was a knee injury that occurred during a July practice. This ended Thornton’s season after playing and starting in 22 games. If the last year is any indication, fans of the Valkyries should be clamoring for more from Thornton and the team as a whole.
In Addition to Thornton, Valkyries Also Add Kiah Stokes
While re-signing their lone All-Star was the most pivotal move that was made, the Valkyries adding Kiah Stokes to a multi-year contract gives the team a defensive edge. Stokes has crafted an enviable resume that includes three WNBA rings (all with the Las Vegas Aces), All-WNBA Defensive second-team, and 2015 All-Rookie team.
Stokes is not the same player as she was with the Aces during their title runs. Her rebounds output fell from 5.9 in 2023 to 3.6 last season, and ditto to Stokes’ blocks (1.0 to 0.4), steals (0.7 to 0.4), and defensive win shares (1.9 to 0.9). This should not dismay fans as she will still fortify the defensive interior when given the opportunity during the season. And again, another player who knows what it takes to win in the WNBA.
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