WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select?

The 2026 WNBA offseason could feature a historic amount of player movement. In addition to almost every veteran player entering free agency, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will begin to build their inaugural rosters through the expansion draft.

Although the biggest stars in the WNBA likely won’t be plucked by the Tempo or Fire, the level of talent shouldn’t be understated. Golden State’s expansion draft yielded an All-Star in Kayla Thornton and the 2025 Most Improved Player, Veronica Burton.

The rules of the expansion draft are collectively bargained, which is why the process has to wait until the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement. We can look to the past for clues to how it may proceed — the Valkyries’ expansion draft rules were almost identical to when Atlanta joined the league in 2008 — but there hasn’t been an expansion draft involving multiple teams since 2000.

Nevertheless, our mock expansion draft structure is similar to the last multi-team expansion draft before the 2000 season. As we, and front offices around the WNBA, await a new CBA and directions for an expansion draft, this is our attempt to simulate the exercise. Before conducting the actual draft, The Athletic’s Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant collaborated on the mock protected player lists for each of the league’s existing 13 teams. Pickman then drafted for the Tempo, and Merchant drafted for the Fire.

• There will be 12 rounds.

• Through the first six rounds, each existing team can protect five players. During these rounds, each can have only one player selected by either Toronto or Portland.

• After the sixth round, existing teams can protect an additional player. During the final six rounds, each team can only have one player selected.

• Toronto will select first because the Tempo were announced as an expansion team first, and then the draft will snake. Portland will have the first pick in the second half of the draft when the protections reset at Round 7.

• The Tempo and Fire can select as many unrestricted free agents as they please, but they can offer the core designation to only one.

Round 1

Toronto Tempo: Li Yueru, Dallas Wings

2025 stats: 6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 36.4 3-pt%

Dallas’ protected players: Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsöder, Aziaha James, Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist

Whenever the expansion draft actually takes place, the Wings will be one of the first teams from which either the Tempo or Fire selects a player. Even after designating five protected players, Dallas has several players who arguably could be selected here. Li Yueru, Awak Kuier and Haley Jones will all be 27 years old or younger heading into next season and have contracts that would allow the Wings — or in this exercise, an expansion team — the first opportunity to re-sign them. Veteran multi-time All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale is another possible expansion draft target left unprotected by the Wings, but Ogunbowale is an unrestricted free agent, meaning the expansion team that takes her would have to give her the core designation to ensure she plays for them in 2026.

In the end, the choice comes down to Kuier and Yueru. Yueru, a 26-year-old center, was highly productive last season, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and blocks, while shooting 36.4 percent on 3-pointers. Among Wings who logged at least 300 minutes last season, only Paige Bueckers had a higher on/off net rating. Her paint scoring, rebounding and ability to stretch the floor are immediate bonuses, but Yueru also represents a future bet. There are not many versatile stretch-five options in the available pool list, and none are 6-foot-7 centers who shot 46.5 percent on spot-ups and held defenders to sub-50 percent shooting in post-up situations. By taking a Wings player here, Toronto also prevents Portland from picking Kuier, Jones or Ogunbowale in the first six rounds. This is another strategic consideration, considering Dallas’ roster depth.

Portland Fire: Carla Leite, Golden State Valkyries

2025 stats: 7.2 ppg, 2.0 apg, 83.8 FT%

Golden State’s protected players: Veronica Burton, Justė Jocytė, Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaün, Kayla Thornton

Golden State is another team with a deep talent pool, most of whom aren’t unrestricted free agents. Cecilia Zandalasini and María Conde were in consideration, but 21-year-old Leite is an upside player. The French guard has already proven that she can finish in the paint; she shot 66 percent in the restricted area and made 52 percent of her other shots in the lane. She also has some wiggle as a ballhandler and was effective scoring in isolation. Only three players (Dana Evans, Rhyne Howard and Caitlin Clark) finished a higher percentage of their plays in isolation, and Leite had the best points per possession at 1.00, per Synergy.

Although Leite’s jump shot was unsuccessful in her first WNBA season, her 84 percent mark from the foul line indicates potential improvement. More importantly, Leite had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio as a rookie. The Valkyries also had a plus-5.7 net rating in her minutes, the second-highest of any rotation player behind Iliana Rupert (who was protected). Portland gets to start its franchise with an exciting point guard who can create for others and impact winning. Leite is also under team control for the next three seasons of her rookie contract, giving her a long runway with the Fire, and she comes from general manager Vanja Černivec’s previous stop in Golden State.

Round 2

Portland Fire: Emily Engstler, Washington Mystics

2025 stats: 3.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg

Washington’s protected players: Georgia Amoore, Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Sug Sutton

Engstler is a bit of a gamble because she doesn’t have the most consistent or productive track record in her first four WNBA seasons. But she’s only 25, has a team-friendly contract situation, is a great athlete and can toggle between multiple positions. Even as her scoring has wavered, Engstler has had high rates in blocks and steals, and her assists per 40 minutes reached a career best in 2025. Her ability to read and react on the court seems tailor-made for new head coach Alex Sarama. Ideally, Portland gets the 2024 version of Engstler, who was hitting her 3s and free throws in addition to being a playmaker on both ends. With a more stable role, perhaps Engstler can reclaim the promise that made her a 2022 lottery pick.

Toronto Tempo: Anastasiia Kosu, Minnesota Lynx

2025 stats: 1.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 44.8 FG%

Minnesota’s protected players: Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Alanna Smith, Courtney Williams

The Lynx are another team to watch heading into the expansion draft. Though they have several unrestricted free agents, none has ever been given the core designation — an expansion team could snatch them up. Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams have all been integral core players in recent seasons, so they were the first four protections in this exercise. Had Bridget Carleton been left unprotected, then how could Toronto have passed up the 28-year-old Canadian guard? But in this exercise, Minnesota elects to keep her, changing the calculus of availability.

Toronto takes Kosu here, selecting the 6-1 Russian forward over Dorka Juhasz, Jessica Shepard and Maia Hirsch. Kosu, Minnesota’s second-round pick, has a high ceiling, and at just 20, she’s poised to develop while being under contract for years to come.

Round 3

Toronto Tempo: Sarah Ashlee Barker, Los Angeles Sparks

2025 stats: 3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 33.7 FG%

Los Angeles’ protected players: Cameron Brink, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, Kelsey Plum

This selection is another pivot point in the draft. Looking at the protected player list, Toronto is forced to decide whether to target a player from a team that had multiple high-quality available options, or teams that might have only one or two players in jeopardy of being selected (namely, Indiana or Las Vegas). The Tempo’s decision to select Barker is another bet on potential, as the 24-year-old guard was Los Angeles’ first-round pick in April. Although she struggled from both 3-point range (29.5 percent) and at the free-throw line (70.8 percent), the hope would be that over the ensuing three seasons, she grows and becomes a key contributor.

Barker’s Sparks teammate, Azurá Stevens, is another player the Tempo heavily considered at this spot. Stevens had a career season and could be a foundation piece for either expansion team. Stevens is an unrestricted free agent, meaning Toronto would either need to apply the core designation to her or negotiate a contract in unrestricted free agency (with other teams also courting her). The latter was how the Valkyries eventually signed Monique Billings last year, but considering the structure of this expansion draft, the Tempo elect to take the younger, cost-controlled player.

Portland Fire: Lexi Held, Phoenix Mercury

2025 stats: 5.3 ppg, 0.7 spg, 30.8 3-pt%, 81.8 FT%

Phoenix’s protected players: Monique Akoa Makani, Natasha Mack, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Kathryn Westbeld

Held was having a pretty solid rookie season for Phoenix before she suffered a pneumothorax in her right lung in June, sidelining her for five weeks and eventually knocking her out of the rotation. But she was a feisty floor general before the injury, demonstrating poise running the offense and stout defense at the point of attack. Her 2.2 steal percentage was in the 85th percentile leaguewide. Held was also gunning from 3-point range, with 7.7 attempts per 40 minutes. Although she made only 31 percent, her volume is something to build on, and she was a high-percentage shooter in college (36.6 percent) and overseas.

Kitija Laksa was also a potential pick here and could have easily been chosen as a 6-1 knockdown-shooter guard. Held’s overall skills seem more rounded out, plus she is a few years younger. It’s easy to squint at Held’s resume and see the outlines of Veronica Burton, a defensive-minded guard who played college ball in Chicago and just needs an opportunity in the WNBA. The Mercury front office loved touting Held as someone who keeps getting better, from an overlooked high school prospect to a two-time all-Big East player and now a productive pro. Her pace and motor are well-suited for an expansion team.

Round 4

Portland Fire: Chloe Bibby, Indiana Fever

2025 stats: 4.8 ppg, 40.5 3-pt%, 88.9 FT%

Indiana’s protected players: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, Makayla Timpson

The Fire have acquired a few theoretical shooters to this point; now is the time to get the genuine article. Bibby made 35.5 percent of her 3-pointers through five college seasons and then 40.5 percent of her triples as a WNBA rookie, albeit in limited minutes. A forward with good size who figured out how to play defense for Natalie Nakase is worth taking a chance on. Aaliyah Nye was in consideration here, as was Nyara Sabally, but the shooting pedigree for Bibby makes the difference.

Toronto Tempo: Aaliyah Nye, Las Vegas Aces

2025 stats: 3.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 82.4 FT%

Las Vegas’ protected players: Dana Evans, Chelsea Gray, NaLyssa Smith, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young

Toronto enters the draft wanting either Bibby or Nye. Both are clear selections to make from their 2025 teams, as both are either under contract or reserved free agents, and can be valuable additions in winning environments. Nye was the first pick in the second round of the college draft last April and an important contributor in the first half of the Aces’ season. Although her role was more limited in the second half and throughout the stretch run, at 23, Nye can develop into a quality pro. Plus, drafting her here reunites her with Barker, her former Alabama teammate.

Round 5

Toronto Tempo: Isobel Borlase, Atlanta Dream

2025-26 stats (Bendigo Spirit WNBL): 21.8 ppg, 5.75 rpg, 3.75 apg

Atlanta’s protected players: Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard, Te-Hina Paopao, Nyadiew Puoch

Borlase was the Dream’s second-round pick in 2024 and has yet to play in the WNBA. Still, at only 21, she’s achieved success in Australia’s WNBL (earning first-team honors in 2024 and winning Sixth Woman of the Year in 2023) and has already represented the Opals at the Paris Olympics. This winter, she has been one of the best players in Australia’s domestic league, averaging 21.3 points per game (the second most of any player), while also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. She is a skilled driver and willing passer. Playing for the Tempo also brings familiarity as Sandy Brondello coaches Australia’s national team in addition to her W responsibilities.

Portland Fire: Nyara Sabally, New York Liberty

2025 stats: 5.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 bpg

New York’s protected players: Raquel Carrera, Leonie Fiebich, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Annika Soltau

It’s easy to forget that we’re about one year removed from Nyara Sabally swinging the decisive game of the 2024 WNBA Finals and helping New York win its first title in franchise history. At her best, Sabally is an athletic, physical rim-runner who can convert efficiently around the basket. But Sabally has rarely been at that peak. She played in only 18 games (out of 47) in 2025, and the Liberty had a negative net rating (-0.6) with her on the court.

Nevertheless, an expansion team should take some swings, and Sabally’s best days are as good or better than anyone else in this player pool. Bring the former Duck back to the state of Oregon and see what she can do in an environment that isn’t in championship-or-bust mode.

Round 6

Portland Fire: Rayah Marshall, Connecticut Sun

2025 stats: 25 points and 26 rebounds in 90 total minutes

Connecticut’s protected players: Aaliyah Edwards, Leïla Lacan, Aneesah Morrow, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Saniya Rivers

Only Connecticut, Chicago and Seattle were still available to pick from at this slot, so this essentially comes down to Marshall versus Maddy Westbeld. Westbeld’s rookie year was clearly superior from a statistical perspective, as Marshall barely got to see the floor, even for a lottery team. This selection is really a matter of personal preference. The former USC center was the anchor of the Trojans’ excellent defense. As a frontcourt player, she has the IQ and quickness to switch out onto the perimeter. Marshall could easily be a bust, as many second-round picks are, but what stands out is the last game of her college career, when she put up 23 points and 15 rebounds in the Elite Eight against UConn. She was better than UCLA’s Lauren Betts against the eventual national champs. There is a player here, if Portland can find it.

Toronto Tempo: Maddy Westbeld, Chicago Sky

2025 stats: 4.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 39.5 3-pt%

Chicago’s protected players: Ariel Atkins, Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, Ajša Sivka, Hailey Van Lith

After their five initial protections, not many realistic expansion draft selections could come from the Sky. Almost all of Chicago’s remaining available players were unrestricted free agents, with only Westbeld, guard Sevgi Uzun and 2025 second-round pick Aicha Coulibaly as the non-UFA leftovers. Westbeld didn’t receive consistent playing time throughout the first part of the season, but the Sky expanded her role after the All-Star break. She played a career-high 28 minutes in Chicago’s second-to-last game on Sept. 9 and was most productive in its season finale, scoring a career-high 25 points. Westbeld shot 45.7 percent on spot-up jumpers this season, proving herself as a capable pick-and-pop player. She’ll be 24 when next season begins and can continue developing into a contributor.

Round 7

Portland Fire: Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings

2025 stats: 15.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 93.1 FT%

Dallas’ protected players: Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsöder, Aziaha James, Awak Kuier, Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist

The draft opens up again in Round 7, with every team available to pick from once more. At this point, the Fire are taking a gamble on star power. As the Wings reorient around Bueckers, Ogunbowale can start the next phase of her career in Portland. The four-time All-Star, three-time all-WNBA selection and former scoring champ will be the Fire’s offensive impetus, even if her scoring efficiency has waned in recent seasons. The Wings have other young players of interest, including Haley Jones and JJ Quinerly, but Ogunbowale is a proven star. She has talent that generally isn’t available to expansion teams. Portland will core her and start its inaugural season with a top-five scorer of all time.

Toronto Tempo: Azurá Stevens, Los Angeles Sparks

2025 stats: 12.8 ppg, 8 rpg, 47.8 FG%, 38.1 3-pt%

Los Angeles’ protected players: Julie Allemand, Cameron Brink, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, Kelsey Plum

After making a risky decision to pass on Stevens in one of the first six rounds, Toronto still ended up selecting the 6-6 center at the beginning of the second half of the draft. Stevens is an unrestricted free agent, meaning the core designation would be applied in this case to guarantee she spends the 2026 season with the Tempo. Stevens is one of the league’s best floor-spacing bigs, shooting 38.1 percent from 3 last season, and she’s an effective rebounder. She finished second in Most Improved voting last season and has taken strides each time her role expands. The Tempo want a similar result when she slides into a starting spot, at least for 2026 and, they hope, beyond.

Round 8

Toronto Tempo: Jacy Sheldon, Washington Mystics

2025 stats: 7.5 ppg, 1.9 apg, 1.9 rpg, 46.6 FG%

Washington’s protected players: Georgia Amoore, Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Jade Melbourne, Sug Sutton

The Sun entrusted Sheldon to be one of their lead playmakers throughout the first part of last season after acquiring her in an offseason trade with the Dallas Wings. Her scoring numbers increased, as did her overall efficiency. Sheldon was also an improved 3-point shooter, going from 30.9 percent with the Wings as a rookie to 41.2 percent during her 28 games with Connecticut. Sheldon played only 31 minutes with the Mystics after a mid-season trade, due to injury, and at just 25 years old is likely looking for a franchise where she can grow over time. A burst post-expansion draft, in a similar vein to Veronica Burton (another ex-Wings first-round pick) would be the best-case scenario.

Portland Fire: Holly Winterburn, Atlanta Dream (didn’t play in WNBA)

2024-25 stats (for Besiktas): 11.9 ppg, 4.1 apg, 1.7 spg

Atlanta’s protected players: Maya Caldwell, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard, Te-Hina Paopao, Nyadiew Puoch

The London Lions reunite in Portland. Černivec was general manager of the 2023-24 EuroCup champion Lions, where Sarama also worked in the front office. Winterburn, 25, averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists for that team, making 43 percent of her 3s. Her handle may not be WNBA-ready, but she can play off the ball for a team with Ogunbowale, Leite and Held.

Why wouldn’t Portland pursue a reunion with fellow London Lion Megan Gustafson? Her status as an unrestricted free agent makes her a riskier proposition than Winterburn. The Fire can always court Gustafson in free agency.

Round 9

Portland Fire: María Conde, Golden State Valkyries (didn’t play in WNBA)

2024-25 stats (USK Praha): 13.6 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 spg

Golden State’s protected players: Veronica Burton, Justė Jocytė, Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaün, Kayla Thornton, Cecilia Zandalasini

Conde never made it to Golden State after suffering an Achilles injury in January, but by all accounts, she was interested in playing in the WNBA for the first time since being drafted in 2019. The Spanish forward has been a productive scorer for USK Praha, a EuroLeague club, for five years before moving to Italy this season. Good wings are a scarcity in women’s basketball. Ideally, Conde’s relationship with Černivec lures her to Portland and adds to the Fire’s international flavor.

Toronto Tempo: Dorka Juhasz, Minnesota Lynx

2024 stats: 5.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 47.5 FG%

Minnesota’s protected players: Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, Maïa Hirsch, Kayla McBride, Alanna Smith, Courtney Williams

Even after additional protection, the Lynx could still lose another quality player in the expansion draft. Jess Shepard and DiJonai Carrington are both unprotected in this exercise, but Toronto ends up selecting Juhasz because of the security provided by drafting the 25-year-old center. Juhasz sat out last year’s WNBA season, and her role diminished in Minnesota toward the end of the 2024 campaign. Still, she’s off to another solid start in EuroLeague action, sitting fourth league-wide in rebounds per game, while averaging 11.3 points per game.

Round 10

Toronto Tempo: Marine Johannes, New York Liberty

2025 stats: 6.4 ppg, 1.6 apg, 39.7 FG%

New York’s protected players: Raquel Carrera, Leonie Fiebich, Rebekah Gardner, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Annika Soltau

Another coach-player reunion! Johannes falls to Toronto, where she will play with Brondello once again. Johannes’ role fluctuated at the end of the 2025 season and she was eventually pushed out of New York’s primary rotation, but throughout her career, she’s been a proven spark-plug scorer. Her willingness to take — and often make — creative 3-pointers opens up the court for her teammates on offense. For a high-volume ballhandler, Johannes is primarily still a threat on the perimeter as she attempted only 16 free throws last year.

Portland Fire: Kalani Brown, Phoenix Mercury

2025 stats: 5.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 61.5 FG%

Phoenix’s protected players: Kitija Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Natasha Mack, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Kathryn Westbeld

Kalani Brown is a traditional paint-bound center who uses her size effectively on the glass and to score inside. She has made strides in her lateral agility, but she still isn’t quite mobile enough to be a starting center in the modern WNBA. Nevertheless, she is a worthy rotation player, and it’s useful to have a 6-7 center for specific matchups.

Round 11

Portland Fire: Pass

The Fire could take Kristy Wallace from Indiana or a couple of older veterans from Connecticut and Seattle, but the likelihood of those players making the final Fire roster after free agency and the college draft is fairly low, so Portland will pass. This is similar to Golden State passing on Seattle in last year’s expansion draft, using the logic that Mackenzie Holmes had a better chance of making the Storm roster (which she did!). The Fire retain roster flexibility rather than select a fungible player with limited upside.

Toronto Tempo: Haley Peters, Connecticut Sun

2025 stats: 2.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.8 apg

Connecticut’s protected players: Aaliyah Edwards, Leïla Lacan, Marina Mabrey, Aneesah Morrow, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Saniya Rivers

At this point in the draft, team or player options are limited. The Tempo could select a player from Las Vegas, Seattle, or Connecticut, or elect to pass. Peters, a 33-year-old reserve wing, is the choice. She returned to the WNBA last season after six seasons and played an important contributing role for Connecticut. Peters is a solid rebounder and reliable defender. She found success in Connecticut guarding spot-up shooters and post-up bigs. She also serves as an additional veteran presence.

Toronto Tempo

Player	Position	Team
Li Yueru	C	Dallas
Anastasiia Kosu	F	Minnesota
Sarah Ashlee Barker	G	Los Angeles
Aaliyah Nye	G-F	Las Vegas
Isobel Borlase	G	Atlanta
Maddy Westbeld	F	Chicago
Azurá Stevens	F-C	Los Angeles
Jacy Sheldon	G	Washington
Dorka Juhasz	G	Minnesota
Marine Johannes	G	New York
Haley Peters	F-G	Connecticut

The Tempo will begin their first season with a versatile frontcourt of Stevens and Yueru anchoring the roster. A veteran playmaker in Johannes will bring familiarity with Brondello, and her system should help others acclimate as well. Much of the roster features high-upside swings. Borlase brings familiarity and a high ceiling as she’s just 21, and five other players selected went in the top 16 of either the 2024 or 2025 WNBA drafts.

There’s room to improve the wing position in the short term via free agency, and Toronto hopes Barker and Nye, in particular, continue to develop as 3-point shooters. (Their Alabama ties should help the Tempo get started as well.) In a global city, this global team is set up well to lay a strong foundation.

Portland Fire

Player	Position	Team
Carla Leite	G	Golden State
Emily Engstler	F	Washington
Lexi Held	G	Phoenix
Chloe Bibby	F	Indiana
Nyara Sabally	C	New York
Rayah Marshall	C-F	Connecticut
Arike Ogunbowale	G	Dallas
Holly Winterburn	G	Atlanta
Maria Conde	F	Golden State
Kalani Brown	C	Phoenix

The Fire end the draft with one star in Ogunbowale, six players currently 25 or younger, five international players (two played in the NCAA), four 2025 rookies and two who have yet to make WNBA debuts. They acquired a lot of youth and diverse professional experience. There isn’t a ton of familiarity, however. Ogunbowale and Brown were teammates in Dallas for two seasons, and Bibby and Leite played 10 minutes together in Golden State. Overall, this is a team with a lot of perimeter firepower and switchability, but it could use some frontcourt reinforcements during free agency.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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