Kate "Money" Martin is on the move!
The former Hawkeye began her professional career with the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, before being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft.
Martin was a fan favorite in Las Vegas, and even though she saw limited on-court action, she made a lasting impact.
After being selected by the Valkries, she had the chance to take on an expanded role, and she made the most of it.
Martin played in 42 games with four starts, averaging 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. Surprisingly, the Valkyries waived her before the start of the 2026 season, but she quickly found a new home.
Martin is heading to Los Angeles, her third destinaton in three years
The Valkyries have been knocked for some of their roster moves lately, especially on draft night.
The organization drafted Flau'Jae Johnson, promptly traded her to the Seattle Storm for Marta Suarez, and then waived her.
Then a few days before the beginning of th 2026 season, they waived fan favorite Kate Martin, but she quickly found a new home.
Sparks Sign Guard Kate Martin to Player Development Pool.
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 10, 2026
📝 https://t.co/LcJoxpRfp0 pic.twitter.com/dxnI5bIGYU
The Los Angeles Sparks signed Martin to their player development pool, adding her to a very young and rebuilding roster.
The Sparks are led by veterans Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Nneka Ogwumike, but are very young.
After Martin's addition, the Sparks have six guards on their roster, and it will be interesting to see if she can carve out a role after she fully recovers from a Grade II quad strain she suffered in a preseason practice with Golden State.
How Martin could immediately impact the Sparks
Before being waived, Martin's recovery was going well, and she was considered day-to-day. When she fully recovers from the injury, she gives the Sparks bench an immediate boost.
Martin has been effective with every team she has been with, and even though she does not always light up the scoreboard or fill up the stat sheet, she provides steadying leadership.
As previously mentioned, the Sparks are a very young team, aside from a few veteran stars, and adding Martin is a good move to provide more veteran leadership and a calming presence.
She can start in a pinch and will provide a spark off the bench when called upon, and this was a solid pickup for the Sparks.
It will be interesting to see if she hangs on with the organization and what her role will be, but if the Sparks give her a chance, we all know how hard Martin will work to carve out a role.
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