Forget the noise, because one WNBA voter is calling it: Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries is the “obvious” choice for Sixth Player of the Year. Noa Dalzell, an SB Nation writer, is making a strong case for Salaun over names like Sophie Cunningham, Cameron Brink, and Tiffany Hayes in what’s supposedly a “hotly-contested” race. But Dalzell sees it differently, highlighting Salaun’s “outstanding” performance.
Salaun Is The Real Deal, And The Numbers Don’t Lie
Salaun, in just her second WNBA season, has absolutely established herself as a critical piece for a very good Valkyries team. Dalzell is emphatic, writing that Salaun “should be recognized” with the Sixth Player award. And when you look at the stats, it’s hard to argue. Salaun is dropping 12.9 points per game and is hitting a super respectable 39.7 percent from beyond the arc. But here’s the kicker: she boasts the second-highest VPM, or Value Per Possession, among WNBA bench players with a seriously impressive plus-1.81 mark. This Databallr statistic measures a player’s net impact on scoring margin per 100 possessions, and Salaun is crushing it. Only her teammate Hayes has a better VPM among the league’s top reserves. Salaun was an All-Rookie selection in 2025 and after starting 33 games last year, she embraced the bench role this season, becoming Golden State’s second-leading scorer behind Gabby Williams. She’s been instrumental in the Valkyries becoming a legit WNBA championship contender, period.
Why Cunningham’s Game Time Doesn’t Stack Up
Now, Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever is definitely a name in the mix. She’s a fantastic 3-point shooter, hitting 43.4 percent from deep, which puts her among the league’s best. She averages 8.3 points on 46.6% shooting across 36 bench games, playing 22.5 minutes a night. That’s solid, right? But Dalzell pointed out the brutal truth: Cunningham has a negative VPM, clocking in at minus-1.35. Ouch. Despite her strong shooting, Dalzell couldn’t ignore that negative impact on scoring margin. Dalzell’s take is that Cunningham has been “far less critical to the Fever than Salaun has been to the Valkyries.” It’s that simple. While Cunningham might have name recognition and will pull some votes, her overall impact, when measured by VPM, just doesn’t stack up against Salaun’s undeniable positive contribution.
Look, this race might be “hotly-contested” on paper, but Dalzell is basically saying what a lot of voters are probably thinking already. Salaun’s case is compelling, showcasing her value not just in points, but in her total net impact on her team’s scoring. This is a big deal for the Valkyries’ season, and it should translate into some serious hardware for Salaun.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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