Foundations Laid: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo Build Inaugural Rosters

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The WNBA landscape officially shifted yesterday, April 3, 2026, as the league’s 14th and 15th franchises—the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo—selected their foundational rosters in the 2026 Expansion Draft.

With both teams set to begin play this May, the draft provided a mix of veteran leadership, international flair, and defensive grit. Here is the breakdown of how the newest teams in the league were built.

Portland Fire: A Blueprint for “Disruption”

General Manager Vanja Černivec and the Fire front office entered the draft with a clear identity: length, defensive versatility, and efficient shooting.

The Top Pick: Portland used the #1 overall selection on Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton. A proven 3-and-D specialist, Carleton provides the veteran floor-spacing necessary for a new franchise.
Key Selections: The Fire prioritized young, versatile wings like Haley Jones (Wings) and Emily Engstler (Mystics), both of whom offer elite secondary playmaking and defensive disruption.
The International Bet: Portland took a flyer on French guard Carla Leite from the Golden State Valkyries, a pick-and-roll specialist who could become a cornerstone of their backcourt.
Full Roster: Bridget Carleton, Carla Leite, Luisa Geiselsöder, Emily Engstler, Maya Caldwell, Chloe Bibby, Haley Jones, Nyadiew Puoch, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sug Sutton, and Nika Mühl.

Toronto Tempo: Experience and Versatility

Led by coaching legend Sandy Brondello, the Tempo leaned toward high-IQ players who fit a “positionless” style of play similar to Brondello’s recent New York Liberty squads.

Anchor in the Middle: Toronto’s big splash was Nyara Sabally from the Liberty. Sabally, a 2024 champion, brings championship DNA and high-energy rebounding to the expansion side.
Backcourt Leadership: The Tempo secured Julie Allemand (Sparks), one of the league’s most respected distributors, and sharp-shooter Marina Mabrey (Sun) to provide immediate scoring punch.
Under-the-Radar Gems: Aaliyah Nye (Aces), a 2025 champion, and María Conde (Valkyries) give Toronto a deep rotation of wings who can stretch the floor.
Full Roster: Julie Allemand, Nyara Sabally, Marina Mabrey, Aaliyah Nye, Lexi Held, María Conde, Maria Kliundikova, Adja Kane, Nikolina Milić, Kitija Laksa, and Kristy Wallace.

Strategic Moves & Trade Fallout

The expansion process wasn’t without its backroom deals. Notably, the Chicago Sky remained the only team completely untouched in the draft. The Sky traded their 2026 second-round college pick to both Portland and Toronto in separate deals to ensure “immunity” for their unprotected players.

The Road Ahead

The Expansion Draft was only the first step in a hyper-accelerated offseason:

Free Agency: Begins immediately, with both teams now able to negotiate with unrestricted free agents to round out their 12-woman rosters.
The 2026 WNBA Draft: Scheduled for April 13. Toronto holds the #6 overall pick, while Portland holds #7.
Opening Night: The Toronto Tempo will host its first-ever regular-season game on May 8, 2026, against the Washington Mystics, while the Portland Fire hosts the Chicago Sky on May 9.

While analysts have given the Portland Fire a slight edge in “draft grades” for their cohesive defensive vision, the Toronto Tempo’s veteran-heavy lineup suggests they may be more prepared to compete for a playoff spot in Year 1.