The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, the 14th and 15th WNBA franchises, finally have rosters. On Friday, the Tempo and Fire completed their long-awaited expansion draft, which had been delayed due to the extended labor negotiations between the league and the players union over a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Tempo won a coin toss last week and chose the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, which gave the Fire the first pick in the expansion draft. The Fire selected Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx with the first overall pick and the Tempo chose Julie Allemand from the Los Angeles Sparks second.
The draft was two rounds, and the teams alternated picks within each round before snaking the order in between rounds. The 13 existing WNBA teams all had to submit a list of protected players, up to five, to the league by Sunday. The players on those lists — which were not made public — were ineligible for selection in the expansion draft.
Only two players from the 13 existing teams could be taken — one in each round — but each expansion team was not limited to one player from each existing team. If a free agent was selected, the expansion team that made the choice acquired their respective rights. Each expansion team could only select one unrestricted free agent.
Before the draft, the Chicago Sky completed trades with both franchises to ensure that neither one would select one of their unprotected players. The Sky sent the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to the Fire in exchange for the No. 21 pick and their agreement not to select anyone, and sent the No. 26 overall pick to the Tempo in exchange for their agreement not to select anyone.
WNBA expansion draft results
First round
- Fire: Bridget Carleton
- Tempo: Julie Allemand
- Fire: Carla Leite
- Tempo: Nyara Sabally
- Fire: Luisa Geiselsöder
- Tempo: Marina Mabrey
- Fire: Emily Engstler
- Tempo: Aaliyah Nye
- Fire: Maya Caldwell
- Tempo: Lexi Held
- Fire: Chloe Bibby
- Tempo: PASS
Second round
- Tempo: María Conde
- Fire: Haley Jones
- Tempo: Maria Kliundikova
- Fire: Nyadiew Puoch
- Tempo: Adja Kane
- Fire: Sarah Ashlee Barker
- Tempo: Nikolina Milić
- Fire: Sug Sutton
- Tempo: Kitija Laksa
- Fire: PASS
- Tempo: Kristy Wallace
- Fire: Nika Mühl
Portland Fire roster
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Sarah Ashlee Barker
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Forward
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Los Angeles Sparks
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Chloe Bibby
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Forward
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Indiana Fever
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Maya Caldwell
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Guard
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Atlanta Dream
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Bridget Carleton
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Forward
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Minnesota Lynx
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Emily Engstler
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Forward
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Washington Mystics
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Luisa Geiselsöder
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Center
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Dallas Wings
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Haley Jones
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Forward
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Dallas Wings
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Carla Leite
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Guard
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Golden State Valkyries
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Nika Mühl
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Guard
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Seattle Storm
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Nyadiew Puoch
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Forward
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Atlanta Dream
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Sug Sutton
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Guard
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Washington Mystics
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The Fire chose Carleton — an unrestricted free agent — with their first pick, and you would have to assume they will use the core designation on her to gain special negotiating rights. She’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, a versatile wing defender and has played a big role in the Lynx’s tremendous success in recent years. It will be interesting to see what she can do in a bigger role for the Fire.
Leite stands out as one of the most exciting picks for the Fire. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and EuroCup Women Finals MVP in 2025 is still only 21 years old and has a lot of potential. She was stuck behind veterans in the Valkyries’ rotation last season. It will be fun to see how she fares in Portland.
Caldwell, Engstler and Geiselsöder are other players who have shown some flashes and could break out in bigger roles. Additionally, Barker was the No. 9 overall pick less than a year ago, and it’s worth taking a flier on her despite a tough rookie season.
Toronto Tempo roster
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Julie Allemand
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Guard
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Los Angeles Sparks
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Maria Conde
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Forward
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Golden State Valkyries
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Lexi Held
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Guard
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Phoenix Mercury
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Adja Kane
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Forward
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New York Liberty
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Maria Kliundikova
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Center
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Minnesota Lynx
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Kitija Laksa
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Guard
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Phoenix Mercury
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Marina Mabrey
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Guard
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Connecticut Sun
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Nikolina Milić
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Forward
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Connecticut Sun
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Aaliyah Nye
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Guard
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Las Vegas Aces
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Nyara Sabally
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Center
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New York Liberty
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Kristy Wallace
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Guard
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Indiana Fever
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It would be interesting to know if the Tempo were dismayed that the Fire took Carleton — a Canadian — with the first pick. In any case, they chose Allemand, a veteran point guard, with their opening selection. Allemand has only played three WNBA seasons, but has had plenty of success overseas, particularly with the Belgian national team. She’s a heady point guard who knows how to run an offense and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
Mabrey was the Tempo’s unrestricted free agent selection, and again, you assume they’ll give her the core designation to gain special negotiating rights. Mabrey is coming off a rough season with the Sun, but has been a borderline All-Star in the past and can create offense for herself and others. If she can find her 3-point shot again, this could wind up being a very savvy pick for the Tempo.
Sabally, the former No. 5 overall pick, is a smart swing for the Tempo. She’s had trouble staying healthy but is very talented. Kliundikova is another choice that stands out. Like Allemand, she hasn’t spent much time in the WNBA but was excellent in a small role for the Lynx in her return to the league last season.
