WNBA expansion draft winners and losers: Portland’s depth, Toronto’s future scoring

The rosters could look very different in two weeks’ time, but it’s likely that Friday’s selections will form the bulk of the two rosters. Seven of the nine players who suited up for Golden State on its opening night came from the expansion draft. We’re limited in our ability to fully understand the decisions of the Fire and Tempo (and the other 13 teams) because we don’t have access to the lists of protected players.

There were also several international players selected who haven’t yet debuted in the WNBA or who choose not play in the WNBA every season, and we don’t yet know which of them will come over in 2026. However, based on the information that is available, here is an early look at the winners and losers of Friday’s draft. Winners Portland’s depth The Fire didn’t take a lot of big swings, not unlike the Golden State Valkyries a year ago when Vanja Černivec was part of that front office.

But they did end up with several players who have proven that they belong in the WNBA. Bridget Carleton and Sug Sutton were solid starters in 2025, and Maya Caldwell has been a capable role player for multiple seasons. Carla Leite, Luisa Geiselsöder and Chloe Bibby have less tape, but they all had decent rookie seasons.

Emily Engstler and Haley Jones have also shown flashes even if their careers have been inconsistent. That is the outline of a quality rotation if the Fire can bring in some top-end talent in free agency, like the Valkyries did with Tiffany Hayes. Any scorer who signs in Toronto Julie Allemand is an elite passer and playmaker who hardly ever hunts her own shot.