On July 6, the Los Angeles Sparks announced the signing of Kate Martin to a standard contract. Previously, Martin was signed as a development player after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries before the start of the 2026 season. In her short WNBA career, Martin has played for three teams, and the Sparks believed in her game enough to sign her to a standard contract. This allows her to showcase her talents and her improvement. That’s one of the benefits of the new CBA, which allows each team to carry two development players.
Kate Martin – Los Angeles Sparks
As a development player, Martin was permitted to play in 12 active games, and she played in a total of 11 games. Martin’s WNBA story hasn’t been easy and it’s a fascinating one to say the least. She was drafted by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in 2024 as the 18th overall pick in the second round. To her surprise, she wasn’t expecting to be drafted; she was there to support her former Iowa teammate and superstar guard, Caitlin Clark. When Las Vegas called out her name, it took her completely by surprise, and the rest is herstory.
Martin’s former Aces teammates nicknamed her “Money Martin” for her shooting ability. Kate has been a fan favorite from the beginning due to her story and skills. Her popularity has followed her to the Golden State Valkyries and now to Los Angeles. With her development contract, she received a weekly stipend of $750. Additionally, as an active game player, she would earn a $6,000 bonus for each game she participated in under the new CBA. She now earns a regular salary as a contracted player.
Despite having limited playing time due to her previous contract, she has still made valuable contributions to the team as a supportive teammate. She averages 8.5 minutes per game, along with 1.1 total rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 3.1 points per game. Although her statistics may not stand out on paper, she is always prepared to step up whenever her number is called. This readiness to contribute in any way the team needs defines what it means to be a true team player.
The Sparks are set to play against the Chicago Sky today at 10:00 PM.
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