Drafted and immediately traded, Flau'jae Johnson heads to the Seattle Storm.
Ex-LSU Tigers fan-favorite Flau'jae Johnson had barely left the draft stage before her WNBA career got its first shakeup as the Golden State Valkyries traded her draft rights to the Seattle Storm for the draft rights to Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round pick, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.
The Valkyries had just taken her with the No. 8 overall pick. Johnson would have been a nice addition to the new franchise, looking to find its footing as it goes into its sophomore year of existence. Instead, she goes to a storied franchise with four WNBA titles in its history.
The Storm are in a new era, though, as they are looking for sustained success in a post-Breanna Stewart world. Stewart is now starring for the New York Liberty. Seattle has actually finished above .500 and made the playoffs in the last two seasons, but lost in the first round each time.
They moved on from Noelle Quinn this offseason and hired Sonia Raman, former MIT Engineers head coach and Memphis Grizzlies assistant, who had most recently spent a year as a Liberty assistant.
Most people have been critical of this trade from the Golden State standpoint, saying that the Storm ended up with the better player and only had to give up a future second-round pick, which is not highly valued in the WNBA draft.
Seattle has retooled a bunch this offseason, and Johnson should have the chance to play early. She will likely begin as much-needed depth, as the Stor lost the legendary Skylar Diggins to free agency.