Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin were on the same team this time last year, but a lot has changed since then. The Indiana Fever selected Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, while the Aces picked Martin at No. 18 (in a move she wasn't expecting).
Clark propelled Indiana to its first playoff berth since 20176, smashed previous records, and won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Martin played a significantly smaller role in Las Vegas, which was expected given the Aces' firepower. The Vegas rookie learned a lot from some of the best in the game (imagine getting to be A'ja Wilson's rook) and will take those lessons with her to San Francisco.
Martin was one of several players to be selected by the Valkyries in December's expansion draft. Aces fans were hurt to hear her name called, and her play so far at Unrivaled hasn't helped ease the pain. Martin will have a larger role in Golden State, and she's given fans a glimpse of what's to come.
Clark was recently a guest on the 247Sports 'Swarmcast' podcast, where she discussed various topics, including Martin playing in Unrivaled. She said she'd love to play with Martin at some point in her WNBA career, which got fans buzzing.
Indiana Fever star and #Hawkeyes legend @CaitlinClark22 talks about @kate_martin22's success in UnRivaled and adds that she'd love to team up with her at some point in her career... but really enjoys the 'beef' they have playing against one another:
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 26, 2025
Full Podcast Tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/alJH3nEsQg
Fever star Caitlin Clark says she'd 'love' to play with Kate Martin again
Golden State fans are (politely) telling Clark to back off Martin. She hasn't suited up for the Valkyries yet, and Fever fans are already thinking about how fun it'd be to see Clark and Martin reunite in Indiana one day. Their chemistry on the court is undeniable, and it'd be a full-circle moment to see them win a WNBA title together after they came up short of an NCAA championship in Iowa.
A reunion wouldn't be anytime soon. Golden State didn't select Martin as a short-term rental. Natalie Nakase was with the guard in Las Vegas last season and knows what she has to offer. The Valkyries want Martin to find a long-term home in the Bay.
Martin signed a four-year deal with the Aces that runs through 2027 (an $85,745 club option). It's hard to envision her not eventually signing an extension with Golden State, but anything can happen.
Clark and Martin are positioned to have long WNBA careers, so maybe one day, they'll hoist a trophy together in Indiana. We all know the Fever are never letting Clark go.