Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo Start WNBA Expansion Draft Friday

Two new WNBA teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, will pick players on Friday in the Expansion Draft to build their teams.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, two newly formed franchises, are poised to begin constructing their rosters via the WNBA Expansion Draft. This significant event, scheduled for Friday, marks the official start of the condensed WNBA offseason. The draft itself will unfold over two rounds.

Expansion draft projections: The top player available on every team - 1

The foundational element of this process is the selection of unprotected players from existing WNBA teams. While specifics of player protection remain fluid, projections suggest a wide array of talent will become available, offering the expansion teams considerable latitude in their initial player acquisition.

Expansion draft projections: The top player available on every team - 2

The draft order itself is a consequence of prior exchanges. Toronto secured the sixth pick in the first round of the upcoming WNBA draft following a coin toss, a decision that grants Portland the first pick in the expansion draft. Consequently, Portland will also hold the seventh overall selection in the April 13 WNBA draft.

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Expansion draft projections: The top player available on every team - 3

Details regarding which players will be available or protected are circulating, with various outlets offering projections and analyses. These lists highlight potential targets for both the Fire and the Tempo, including players who may be designated as unrestricted free agents, a category subject to specific drafting limitations for expansion teams—only one such player may be selected by each new franchise.

Expansion draft projections: The top player available on every team - 4

Background: Building from Scratch

This expansion draft serves as the primary mechanism for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo to populate their inaugural rosters. Unlike traditional drafts that focus on collegiate talent, this event allows teams to select players already established within the league who are not among their current team's protected list. The strategies employed by existing teams in protecting their players directly influence the pool of talent accessible to Portland and Toronto. The timing of the draft, shortly before the WNBA draft, adds a layer of complexity to roster planning for all involved parties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does the WNBA Expansion Draft happen for Portland and Toronto?
The WNBA Expansion Draft for the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo teams is scheduled for Friday. This event is the first step for these teams to build their player lists.
Q: How do the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo get players?
The new teams will pick players who are not protected by their current WNBA teams. This is called the Expansion Draft.
Q: Who gets the first pick in the Expansion Draft?
Portland Fire gets the first pick in the Expansion Draft. Toronto Tempo gets the sixth pick in the main WNBA draft.
Q: What is the purpose of the Expansion Draft?
The Expansion Draft lets the two new teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, select players to start their first official team rosters before the main WNBA draft.