Kaila Charles was cut twice by the Dallas Wings and appeared unlikely to play in the 2025 WNBA season. The Golden State Valkyries signed her after the All-Star break amid injuries, initially on three hardship contracts before guaranteeing her deal for the rest of the season. Charles tied a career-high 16 points and played strong defense on former teammate Paige Bueckers in a 90-81 win over the Wings. She joined the Valkyries on Aug. 1, learned the playbook on a flight to Chicago, entered the rotation immediately, and contributed rebounds and minutes from her first game.
I started the season here, and to be cut was sad, but it also gave me the opportunity to get film and get picked up by the (Valkyries). So even though it didn't work out here like I wanted to, it gave me another opportunity where I fit in a little bit more. So it just shows that everything happens for a reason, and I'm really glad that I was able to win with my team and do well and help them.
Twice this year, the Dallas Wings told Kaila Charles she wasn't good enough to keep a roster spot. Her WNBA journey looked about finished for the 2025 season until the Valkyries gave her an opportunity just after the All-Star break after a plethora of injuries left the expansion team shorthanded. Now, the Valkyries can't imagine a rotation without her. Following three hardship contracts, the Valkyries guaranteed the 27-year-old shooting guard's contract for the rest of the season.
When the Valkyries first signed Charles on Aug. 1, the former University of Maryland standout was tasked with learning a new system and teammates on a team that's in the midst of trying to make a playoff push. On the morning she joined the team, Charles boarded a plane to Chicago and had a few hours to learn the Valkyries' playbook before a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Sky.
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