What to make of the expansion rosters drafted by the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo

Bridget Carleton. | FIBA via Getty Images The Portland Fire selected Bridget Carleton with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft.

A member of the Minnesota Lynx since 2019, the Canadian sharpshooter will be a founding player for the rebirth of the Fire. Canada’s first WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo, selected Julie Allemand with the second pick in the expansion draft. The Belgian point guard has three seasons of WNBA experience, most recently playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025.

Here’s how the whole expansion draft unfolded: First round Portland: Bridget Carleton (Minnesota; unrestricted free agent) Toronto: Julie Allemand (Los Angeles; restricted free agent) Portland: Carla Leite (Golden State; under contract) Toronto: Nyara Sabally (New York; under contract) Portland: Luisa Geiselsöder (Dallas; reserved) Toronto: Marina Mabrey (Connecticut; unrestricted free agent) Portland: Emily Engstler (Washington; reserved) Toronto: Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas; under contract) Portland: Maya Caldwell (Atlanta; reserved) Toronto: Lexi Held (Phoenix; reserved) Portland: Chloe Bibby (Indiana; reserved) Toronto: pass Second round Toronto: Mariá Conde (Golden State; contract expired) Portland: Haley Jones (Dallas; reserved) Toronto: Maria Kliundikova (Minnesota; reserved) Portland: Nyadiew Puoch (Atlanta; rights held) Toronto: Adja Kane (New York; rights held) Portland: Sarah Ashlee Barker (Los Angeles; under contract) Toronto: Nikolina Milić (Connecticut; reserved) Portland: Sug Sutton (Washington; restricted free agent) Toronto: Kitja Laksa (Phoenix; reserved) Portland: pass Toronto: Kristy Wallace (Indiana; contract expired) Portland: Nika Mühl (Seattle; under contract) Although free agency and the college draft still are to come, let’s evaluate the current state of the inaugural rosters for the WNBA’s 14th and 15th franchises. Portland Fire roster analysis View this post on Instagram The Fire roster reflects the basketball philosophies of general manager Vanja Černivec and head coach Alex Sarama. Černivec came to Portland after a season with the Valkyries, a team that prioritized system and culture over traditional star power to great success during their inaugural season, while Sarama, most recently an assistant with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, is known for his constraints-led approach , an offensive philosophy that empowers players to adapt to on-court circumstances rather than adhere to more scripted sets.

Even more than the Valkyries did, the Fire, at least as currently consistuted, lack a typical star, but, headlined by No. 1 pick Carleton, the players seemed suited to help realize the vision of Cernivec and Sarama. It’s also a roster that provides an infrastructure for a higher-wattage star to eventually slide into, whether that happens in the upcoming free agency period, through the college draft or next offseason.