Valks flip ex-LSU star Johnson to Storm in stunner

A draft-night ​trade stunned WNBA fans attending the event in New York City and those watching from afar, as the draft rights to former LSU All-American and 2023 national champion Flau'jae Johnson were traded to the Seattle Storm about 45 minutes after she was selected No. 8 overall by the Golden State Valkyries.

In exchange for Johnson, the Valkyries acquired the draft rights to Marta Suarez -- whom Seattle selected with the first pick of the second round -- and a 2028 second-round selection.

Johnson has been one of the biggest names and most dynamic guards in women's basketball ever since helping the LSU Tigers win their first-ever national championship her freshman season. She also a well-known rapper who's signed with Roc Nation.

Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin declined to answer questions Monday night about why Golden State selected and ultimately traded Johnson.

"I'm going to take a beat to be able to eloquently give a response," Nyanin said. "I don't have a lot of detail to share. One, because I'm exhausted. Two, because I want to be very thoughtful when I'm talking about other humans and their basketball abilities and how they would or would not show up for our squad."

Asked whether the trade had anything to do with salary cap implications, Nyanin responded, "I don't talk or comment about salary cap, so wouldn't be able to answer the question in a way."

Suarez, a 6-foot-3 post, previously played at Tennessee, Cal and most recently TCU, where this season she averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 37% from the 3-point arc.

The Storm, meanwhile, will pair Johnson with their No. 3 overall pick from Monday, Awa Fam Thiam. They also have other young stars rostered in Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick from the 2025 draft, and Ezi Magbegor, who enters her seventh season in the league at just 26 years old.

Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said the team was looking for an opportunity to move up in the draft and get another impact player.

"The opportunity to add Flau'jae was really exciting and incredible for us," Rhea said. "We didn't think that she would be available at that point. We had been in conversations, and so as we got closer to that pick, once it became a reality, just really excited.

"We're really excited how she aligns and helps us this year, but also is going to be a really important piece for us as we're building for the future."

Johnson finished her collegiate career tied for the second-most wins and sixth-most points in LSU history. She averaged 14.2 points, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game her senior campaign, which ended in a Sweet 16 upset for the Tigers.