"Our forever rook" - Aces veterans take outgoing Kate Martin for dinner as Valkyries signing prepares to leave Vegas

For WNBA execs, Kate Martin's move to the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday was business as usual. The same, however, can't be said for the players on Martin's former team.

After Martin—fondly nicknamed "Money" by Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon—was picked up by Golden State in the expansion draft, her ex-Las Vegas teammates decided to take her to a farewell dinner.

In her Instagram stories, veteran Aces forward Alysha Clark shared a clip of teammate Kiah Stokes comfortably sitting in a Las Vegas restaurant. Clark then posted another video revealing that Martin had accepted the two Aces' invitation to dinner.

Clark's caption for the second clip tells WNBA fans exactly how she feels about the outgoing Martin.

"Money. Our forever Rook," she wrote.

Alysha Clark and Kate Martin having fun. Source: IG.com/alyshaclark

Aces fans had plenty to say after Kate Martin was made available

Clark's fondness for Martin is shared by many within the Aces fanbase. These fans were taken by surprise when reports surfaced about Martin being unprotected by Las Vegas in the expansion draft.

One user even complained about Kiah Stokes, who's approaching 10 years in the WNBA, being protected over the young prospect Martin. In this sense, Stokes' presence at the farewell dinner for Martin is rather ironic.

Still, there's no denying that Martin endeared herself to the Aces locker room. A'ja Wilson posted her own tribute to "Money" on Instagram, though it came with a bit of a twist.

A'ja Wilson posts a farewell message for Kate Martin. Source: IG.com/aja22wilson

In the Instagram story, Wilson called Martin a "gem" and her "baby," but in the same breath, she issued a not-so-veiled threat: "Now we gotta give you and Nat 50." This is a reference to Natalia Nakase, the first coach in the history of the Golden State Valkyries.

Blockbuster matchups ahead for Kate Martin and the Valkyries

It'll be a while before Wilson tries to make good on her playful promise. The first head-to-head between Golden State and Las Vegas takes place on June 8, 2025, at Chase Center.

Meanwhile, the Valkyries will open their inaugural season with a two-game homestand on May 17 and 22 against the Los Angeles Sparks and the Washington Mystics, respectively.

Another matchup to watch: Martin and her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Caitlin Clark doing battle in their sophomore seasons. Golden State's game against the Indiana Fever is set to go down on June 20.

Any chance that Martin and Clark will go to dinner afterward? Given how competitive both women are, that might not be the likeliest outcome.