The Golden State Valkyries Sign Cecilia Zandalasini

After two weeks with no free agency news, the Golden State Valkyries signed Cecilia Zandalasini on Friday. The Italian wing has played three seasons in the league and was one of the big decisions that the team made when they chose her over other options from the Minnesota Lynx in the Expansion Draft. She provided valuable minutes off the bench for them last season and should be expected to contribute some shooting and offensive versatility to the Valkyries.

Contract Terms

This article was published on Saturday instead of Friday after she officially signed as the indications that she was signed on a regular contract and not the minimum meant that it would be worth to wait to find out what the contract terms were. Richard Cohen of Her Hoop Stats got those details on Saturday, reporting that her contract has a base salary of $100,000 that is not guaranteed. The team was only obligated to offer her the minimum base salary of $78,831 for the season, but given their salary cap space, it seemed reasonable to offer her a higher amount, and the delay in her signing might have been from both sides working out that amount after other players were signed.

Availability

Zandalasini has been playing for Galatasaray in Turkey during the European season alongside Valkyries teammate Julie Vanloo. As a player with three years of service in the league, she is subject to the prioritization rules and that would have also been a factor in her decision process. There is no concern that her club season will extend to May so she will be able to report to training camp in accordance with the rules. Saturday was also the day where Italy found out their EuroBasket group for June as they host three other teams in Bologna. If she joins them for the tournament, she is now locked into only being able to leave the Valkyries on June 4th and she must return to the team within 48 hours after their last game. She would have been allowed to train with Italy earlier if she had not signed a WNBA contract until after the tournament was over.