**MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota** — As the 2026 WNBA regular season rapidly approaches, the Minnesota Lynx have begun the difficult process of trimming their roster. On Wednesday, the organization announced that forward **Sakima Walker** has been waived alongside teammates Amaya Battle and Ra Shaya Kyle. The move comes as teams across the league face the league-mandated May 8 deadline to finalize their active rosters.
A Brief Preseason Run
Walker, a 6-foot-4 standout who recently completed her collegiate career at Cal after a championship-winning stint with South Carolina, joined the Lynx as an undrafted free agent on April 16. During her two-week stay in training camp, she appeared in two exhibition games. Her most notable performance came in a victory over the Washington Mystics on April 25, where she logged 13 minutes and recorded **four points, two rebounds, two blocks, and an assist**. However, her minutes saw a sharp decline in Monday’s preseason matchup against the Nigerian National Team, where she saw just four minutes of action.
The WNBA Roster Crunch
The decision to release Walker is more a reflection of the WNBA’s notoriously tight roster constraints—limited to just 12 active players and two developmental spots—than a final verdict on her professional potential. By making early cuts, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and the front office are narrowing their focus toward the veteran core and high-profile 2026 draft picks like No. 2 overall selection Olivia Miles.
Next Steps for Walker
Despite being waived, the 2024 NCAA champion’s professional journey is far from over. With training camps still active across the league, Walker remains a candidate for a late-camp invitation or a developmental contract. Furthermore, her decorated collegiate history—which includes being named the JUCO D1 Player of the Year before her time in the SEC and Pac-12—makes her a high-value prospect for international leagues.
A Legacy of Resilience
For a player who has navigated multiple programs and levels of competition to reach the pro stage, Walker’s career has been defined by the “will to win” that coach Dawn Staley often champions. While this specific chapter in Minnesota has closed, Walker’s ability to protect the rim and provide interior length ensures she will remain on the radar of professional scouts as the 2026 season unfolds.