The Seattle Storm made a trade that stunned the crowd at Monday’s WNBA Draft, bringing star LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson to the Emerald City.
LETS GOOOO💚4️⃣ https://t.co/16RKB0HWkN
— Flaujae 4️⃣ (@Flaujae) April 14, 2026
Just moments after the Storm picked TCU forward Marta Suárez with the first pick of the second round (No. 16 overall), WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert took to the podium to break the news that Seattle had traded Suárez’s draft rights to the Golden State Valkyries along with a 2028 second-round pick for the draft rights to Johnson, who Golden State had taken earlier in the night at No. 8 overall.
The announcement came amid members of the crowd audibly reacting to the surprising turn of events. The move seemed to be received warmly by Storm fans in Seattle.
Y’all liked that trade, huh? 😏 pic.twitter.com/LCTzcvOGIt
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 14, 2026
The 5-foot-10 Johnson has plenty of experience on the big stage, having appeared twice in the Elite Eight, four times in the Sweet 16, and winning a national championship in 2023 on coach Kim Mulkey’s LSU team.
A four-year starter with the Tigers, the Georgia native averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a senior in 2025-26. She is a three-time All-SEC selection and two-time Associated Press All-America third teamer.
For her college career, Johnson shot 46.7% from the field, 37.3% on 3-pointers and 74.8% on free throws.
“Flau’jae is one of the most dynamic, creative and explosive players in this draft and we’re excited to get another first round pick to select her,” said Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said in a statement. “Her playmaking, ability to score in multiple ways and energy on both ends of the court will impact our team immediately. We can’t wait for Flau’jae to get to Seattle.”
Johnson is also a rapper signed to Roc Nation who has appeared on Lifetime’s “The Rap Game” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and even recorded a song with Lil Wayne. Her father is the late Jason Johnson, who rapped under the name Camoflauge.
Prior to the Storm’s trade for Johnson, they selected 6-foot-4 forward/center Awa Fam Thiam of Spain with the No. 3 overall pick and Duke guard Taina Mair at No. 14 overall, giving them three first-round talents as they begin a rebuild under first-year head coach Sonia Raman. The Storm added Michigan State forward Grace VanSlooten in the third round of the draft.
The Storm roster has undergone significant changes in the last week, with All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler and Brittney Sykes all leaving in free agency.
More on the Seattle Storm
• Seattle Storm sign two free agents, including a former All-Star center
• Storm lose All-Star Williams to Golden State in free agency
• Seattle Storm re-sign four-time All-WNBA defender Ezi Magbegor
• PG Skylar Diggins leaving Storm to sign with Chicago
• Seattle Storm add gn veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman
