Janelle Salaün's stellar performance with the Golden State Valkyries is a testament to the WNBA's draft and free agency decisions of the past. Her current success, including 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, is a stark contrast to the 2021 draft, which fell short in identifying future stars. The article highlights the missed opportunity in not drafting Salaün, who is now a top shot-maker and a rising star on the international stage. The Golden State Valkyries' discovery of Salaün in free agency is a strategic move, as she is a young talent with a bright future, ready to contribute to a winning team. The 2021 draft, which only saw nine players currently in the league, is criticized for its lack of long-term vision. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent early on, as evidenced by Salaün's rapid improvement and her ability to excel in the WNBA. The Golden State Valkyries' decision to sign Salaün is a strategic move, as she is a young talent with a bright future, ready to contribute to a winning team. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for WNBA teams to re-evaluate their draft and free agency strategies to ensure they are identifying and developing the best talent, like Janelle Salaün, who can make a significant impact on the league's future.
