With just a month left in the current WNBA season, the excitement is already building for what’s next. Not only is the league expanding, with new teams set to join, but all eyes are on Paige Bueckers, the projected top pick in next season’s draft. And when you combine those two headlines, it creates a buzz-worthy scenario: the possibility of Bueckers landing with the brand-new Golden State Valkyries. While fans were already intrigued by the idea, Sheryl Swoopes has reignited hopes, hinting at a possible Bueckers-Valkyries pairing.

Recently, Houston legend Sheryl Swoopes shared her thoughts on the Golden State Valkyries, admitting she’s impressed by the franchise’s updates, especially their state-of-the-art locker rooms and facilities. But the real eye-opener came when Swoopes dropped a subtle hint about Paige Bueckers potentially joining the Valkyries.

“Okay, for one moment, the retired player in me is so mad at me when I, and it’s a lot of these new arenas and locker rooms. But the photos that the Valkyries posted, I was like, dang, Paige Bueckers’ is gonna love this,” stated Swoopes via Queens of the Court. While Bueckers’ mention was enough to reignite the swirling rumors, the UConn star has already dropped some key hints in the past, showing her own excitement about the franchise.

Swoopes later backtracked a bit, clarifying that her comment didn’t necessarily mean Paige Bueckers was heading to the Valkyries. She did, however, admit, “If I’m a player in free agency or if I’m not one of the players that’s protected, I’m like, sign me up, I wanna go cause things like this matter. Yes. They matter. The facility matters. The fact that you will have your own stuff, right?” 

It’s no surprise that Swoopes is impressed—after all, the Valkyries are already turning heads and making waves even before they’ve stepped onto the big stage.

Valkyries’ facilities shine as debut approaches: Record-breaking ticket sales

The Valkyries made a splash last week with their reveal of the new, cutting-edge team facilities. At San Francisco’s Chase Center, the 6,800-square-foot V-shaped locker room will offer all the bells and whistles: hot and cold tubs, a training room, staff offices, plus a lounge and dining area for players.

Over in Oakland, their training center spans an impressive 31,800 square feet and includes two full courts with 17 hoops, a weight room, a locker room, a player lounge, and even a separate family lounge. Though these facilities are designed for players who have yet to be drafted, the buzz among fans is already palpable. They’re showing enthusiastic support for the new franchise, making it clear they’re ready to go all in for the Valkyries.

With their debut set for 2025, the Golden State Valkyries are already making history. Last Friday, the WNBA’s 13th franchise broke records by becoming the first professional women’s sports team to gather over 17,000 season ticket deposits. Despite not having a single player on their roster yet, the Valkyries are on track to join the Indiana Fever next season as one of the only WNBA teams to average over 17,000 fans per home game.

The league has already seen a surge in popularity and viewership, thanks in no small part to rookie Caitlin Clark leading the charge. Now, imagine the impact if a team already generating buzz, like the Golden State Valkyries, were to add the anticipated top pick, Paige Bueckers, to their roster. The excitement would be off the charts. However, Bueckers’ future team is still a mystery, with various guesses floating around about where she might land.