Marta Suárez turned down a developmental contract offer from the Golden State Valkyries to sign with the Phoenix Mercury before the 2026 season.
Marta Suárez turned down a developmental contract offer from the Golden State Valkyries to sign with the Phoenix Mercury, Suárez said before the Mercury's game at the Valkyries on Sunday at Chase Center.
Under the developmental-contract structure, Suárez is eligible to appear in up to 12 regular-season games. Developmental contracts are a new mechanism in the WNBA collective bargaining agreement negotiated this offseason.
Suárez addressed the Valkyries' offer.
"Yeah, of course they made an offer," Suárez said. "They never just took me for granted. It's just, you know, things happen, if it was a different season. It was very funny, because it kind of reminded me of college recruiting. Sometimes you've got to look at a lot of things and find the right fit for you. And at the end of the day, I've always made my decisions based on intuition. And the Bay is still home, like, whenever I get a chance, I'm gonna be up here. But it just felt like the opportunity to go to the Phoenix Mercury, I thought that was a very cool idea."
The Valkyries acquired Suárez in a draft-night trade with the Seattle Storm. They waived her two weeks later. Suárez signed with the Mercury on a developmental contract.
Suárez also spoke about her decision and the Mercury's veteran players.
"I'm very hungry. I'm very hungry to play. I didn't really get a chance here to be myself," Suárez said. "And now to be able to share the core with really legends like Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Kahleah Copper. I really value that, and to be able to see them in their everyday. What they do, how they treat their bodies, how they approach the expectations of a franchise. They've been doing this for a long time, both in the men's side and women's side, so they know what needs to be done. I'm definitely not taking that for granted."
The Mercury were playing at the Valkyries on Sunday after winning their season opener by 33 points the night before.
Suárez also discussed her approach to the season.
"As long as I grow, I'll be fine," Suárez said. "So, as a rookie season or developmental season, just trying to take in as much as I can see, share the court with these people, and learn as much as I can. Be a sponge."
The Valkyries signed Miela Sowah to a developmental contract after Suárez's decision. They also added Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to the regular roster to replace Iliana Rupert.
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