🏀 WNBA Expansion Mock Draft 2026: Full Picks & Predictions for Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo

The waiting is over: the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will finally draft their inaugural rosters today at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), and we're celebrating with our WNBA expansion mock draft predicting all 24 picks for the first multi-team expansion draft since 2000.

As a Portland native, I played the role of GM for the Fire, while our Toronto resident Rob Paul took the reins for the Tempo. Here is a look at the WNBA expansion draft rules, our pick-by-pick analysis, and the full projected rosters for Portland and Toronto ahead of the expansion draft today.

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📋 How the WNBA expansion draft works

Both expansion teams will draft from a pool of unprotected players after each of the 13 existing teams submitted a list of five protected players to the league office. The Fire and Tempo can pick any player not on those protection lists, with a few key exceptions:

• Both teams can draft a combined two players from each existing franchise, including a maximum of one per round
• Each expansion team can select only 1 "potential unrestricted free agent" (5+ years of service) and will have the right to offer them a supermax contract
• The Fire and Tempo alternate picks each round with a max of 12 picks per team

While the WNBA does not publicly share each team's protection list, we'll be using the projected lists from my WNBA expansion draft guide, which breaks down how the expansion draft works with every team's roster and projected protections.

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🏀 WNBA expansion mock draft picks

This week, Rob and I traded our picks back and forth in the company Slack channel while trying to build a roster that would ultimately compete right away (or within a few years). We followed the rules of the expansion draft closely, so once either team drafted a player from an existing franchise, that team's other players were locked until the next round.

With the first pick, I kicked us off with a former All-Star guard finding a new home in the City of Roses:

1. Arike Ogunbowale, G, Wings (Portland Fire)

I suspect the actual Fire front office, which seems to be deeply analytical and forward-thinking, would opt for a player like Azura Stevens or Brionna Jones with the No. 1 pick over the polarizing Ogunbowale ... but I just can't turn down the chance to build around a three-time All-WNBA guard and former NCAA champion. She finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in five of her first six years before ceding the spotlight to Paige Bueckers last year; we'll help our new star shine again in Portland.

2. Azura Stevens, F, Sparks (Toronto Tempo)

Though GM Monica Wright might eye her former teammate, and six-time All-Star, Jewell Loyd, or Canadian Bridget Carleton, the ideal pick is Azura Stevens. Adding a versatile frontcourt player who can space the floor to build around is hard to pass on. Plus, head coach Sandy Brondello sure cooked in the Big Apple with another floor-spacing big who played at UConn. Stevens is coming off a career year, and there aren't many players who can shoot 38% from behind the arc while finishing top 10 in rebounding (8.0).

3. Cecilia Zandalasini, F, Valkyries (Portland Fire)

I'm expecting an international flair with the Fire's picks on Friday, and if I was running the team, Zandalasini would be my top choice among the non-UFAs. The 6-foot-2 forward is an efficient and versatile off-ball scorer who can create her own offense, coming off a year in which she scored the most points (10.5 PPG) on the second-best 3-point percentage (40.7%) of any player available at this point in the draft - all despite starting just 10 of 19 games. She's a perfect fit to start alongside Ogunbowale and make history as the second player to be taken in back-to-back expansion drafts.

4. Nyara Sabally, C, Liberty (Toronto Tempo)

With this pick, the Tempo are selecting a player Brondello has plenty of familiarity with from her time leading the Liberty. Nyara Sabally spent four seasons with Brondello in New York, and the former fifth-overall pick is an ascending talent at 26 years old. A 6-foot-5 natural five, Sabally's addition allows Stevens to play full-time at four, while giving Toronto a rim protector with plenty of athletic upside. Sabally can anchor Brondello's "no paint" defense after averaging 3.1 steals and blocks per 36 minutes last season.

5. Natasha Mack, F/C, Mercury (Portland Fire)

After prioritizing offense with our first two picks, I'm thrilled to see Mack still on the board as the best pure rim protector in this draft. The 6-foot-4 big ranked third across the entire league last year in block rate (7.9%) while sitting 12th in rebound rate (18.1%) and 23rd in defensive win shares (1.7), yet she ranked 10th on her own team with just 18.3 minutes per game in a deep Mercury rotation. She does it all without fouling, too, which makes her the quintessential fit to anchor the Fire's new starting lineup.

6. Chloe Bibby, F, Fever (Toronto Tempo)

Brondello wants to play "positionless" basketball, and to do that she needs forwards who can shoot, so who better than Chloe Bibby. Bibby's played for Brondello before on the Australian national team, and she showcased her 3-point shooting in her first season in the W last year. Bibby only played 14 games last season, but flashed plenty of potential averaging 4.0 made threes per 36 minutes on 40.5% shooting from behind the arc. Adding Bibby with Stevens and Sabally gives the Tempo a terrifying frontcourt off the jump.

7. Sug Sutton, G, Mystics (Portland Fire)

The W is still a big-dominated league, but you need competent backcourt play to stay in rhythm, and I know I'm getting that with Sutton. She started 43 of 44 games for Washington last year and had the 13th-highest plus/minus per 100 possessions of any player with at least 1,000 minutes played. She also ranked in the top 20 in assist rate (25%) despite owning one of the WNBA's lowest usage rates (15.9%). That tells me there's room to grow in her game as the ideal complement to a ball-dominant scorer like Ogunbowale.

8. Sevgi Uzun, G, Sky (Toronto Tempo)

Despite her struggles as a shooter, Sevgi Uzun fits well in Brondello's system thanks to her passing ability and defensive upside. The 5-foot-10 guard has a 6-foot-2 wingspan and showcased her peskiness as a defender during her short time with the Mercury (3.5 steals and blocks per 36, 105 defensive rating). Playing for a rough Chicago team down the stretch last season, Uzun still managed a 23.5% assist rate, and her penchant for setting up teammates will come in handy with this loaded Tempo frontcourt.

9. Maria Kliundikova, F, Lynx (Portland Fire)

Ideally we'd draft another capable shooter and ball-handler here, but with some of the best options left gated until Round 2, I'm taking a shot on the 6-foot-4 lefty as another defensive anchor for the Fire. The former first-round pick ranked seventh last year in block rate (6.4%) and has the highest win shares (1.6) of any eligible player left on the board. While she'd be a tough fit in our starting lineup, she's a tailor-made backup big behind Mack and fits the international ethos of this new-look Portland squad.

10. Zia Cooke, G, Storm (Toronto Tempo)

With few teams left to choose players from in Round 1, I'm taking one of the highest ceiling players available in Zia Cooke. Cooke was a star for Dawn Staley at South Carolina and has shown flashes of scoring ability throughout her first three seasons in the W. She's averaging 12.8 PPG per 36 minutes across her career, and could be an immediate threat off the bench. If Cooke can continue to improve her 3-point shooting (she shot 39.5% last year but on just 1.5 attempts per game), she'll fit right in for Brondello.

11. Kierstan Bell, F, Aces (Portland Fire)

The box-score numbers for Bell last year won't blow anyone away, but the former first-rounder started all 12 playoff games for the Aces during their title run and was their highest volume 3-point shooter during the regular season on a per-minute basis. A change of scenery could be a blessing in disguise for Bell after a tough few years personally, and she'd bring a welcome energy and championship experience to the roster while also fitting well as a low-usage role player.

12. Isobel Borlase, G, Dream (Toronto Tempo)

It's slim pickings having to take an unprotected player from the Dream's roster to round out Round 1, but swinging on Isobel Borlase makes plenty of sense. Though the 21-year-old has yet to come to the WNBA, she just took home MVP honors in Australia's WNBL last season. Borlase knows Brondello well, too, having played for her on Australia's Olympic team. Could the Aussie connection convince Borlase to make the jump to the WNBA? It's worth a shot, after she led the WNBL in scoring last season (22.9 PPG).

13. Marine Johannes, G, Liberty (Toronto Tempo)

In an ideal scenario, Toronto can go back to the well and take another player who knows Brondello's system. Marine Johannes has proven to be one of the top backup guards in the WNBA and is more than deserving of a shot to start somewhere. In this scenario, she steps right into the lead guard role in Toronto. Johannes provides a steady veteran presence as a capable 3-point shooter (37.7% for her career) with handles so nice she's earned the nickname "Wizard."

14. Lexi Held, G, Mercury (Portland Fire)

I strongly considered taking Held's teammate, Kalani Brown, who is easily the "best available player" at this point in the draft. But this team needs a defensive-minded guard who can shoot the rock, and Held filled that role admirably for last year's runners-up with 2.1 made threes and 1.8 steals per 36 minutes in a limited role (14.7 MPG) as a rookie. I'd love to see what she can do with more runway as a backup guard and pick-and-roll partner with Mack, her former teammate in Phoenix.

15. Laeticia Amihere, F, Valkyries (Toronto Tempo)

With the Tempo being Canada's first WNBA team, Toronto needs a homegrown hero. Laeticia Amihere played high school ball in Oakville, about half an hour from Toronto, and became the first Canadian woman to dunk in a game at just 15 years old. Amihere also has a connection to Australia, having made the All-WNBL First Team in 2025 with the Perth Lynx. The South Carolina product can be a defensive stopper off the bench for Brondello; she had the second-best defensive rating of available players (96) and averaged 2.8 blocks and steals per 36 minutes last season.

16. JJ Quinerly, G, Wings (Portland Fire)

I almost took Quinerly at 14, so I'm thrilled to see her fall into our lap and fill exactly the role we need most. As a rookie, the 5-foot-8 guard made an immediate impact as a sparkplug off the bench - ranking in the top 25 in assist rate (24%) and steal rate (2.7%) while shooting 38.9% from deep on 1.6 attempts per game. She already has experience playing alongside Ogunbowale, too, which makes her that much more valuable to backup our franchise star.

17. Emily Engstler, F, Mystics (Toronto Tempo)

Toronto can't go wrong by taking an athletically gifted Swiss Army Knife defender like Emily Engstler. The former fourth overall pick has been inconsistent in her first four seasons in the W, but would be an ideal role player for Brondello. She's just two seasons removed from shooting 47.4% from deep, had the third-best defensive rating last season among remaining players (99), and has a 11.1% offensive rebound rate for her career. Last season, Engstler averaged 9.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.9 steals and blocks per 36 minutes.

18. Maddy Westbeld, F, Sky (Portland Fire)

This feels like a strong value at 18 for a 6-foot-3 forward who shot 39.5% from deep as a rookie and scored 25 points in her final game last season. That type of size and shooting stroke under team control would be a great get for the Fire this late in our draft (though after Chicago's trade with both expansion teams earlier this week, we won't see any Sky players drafted in the actual draft).

19. Rae Burrell, G/F, Sparks (Toronto Tempo)

The highest upside player still available, Burrell fits the positionlessness of this Toronto team. The 6-foot-2 wing had the most win shares (0.6) and the highest offensive rating last season of any available player that played double-digit minutes (104). Burrell is a competent 3-point shooter (33.9% for her career) and averaged 14.7 PPG per 36 minutes, with a 53.1% true shooting percentage last season. She can provide an offensive spark off the bench for the Tempo.

20. Mackenzie Holmes, F, Storm (Portland Fire)

We only saw Holmes play 10 games and 58 minutes total in her rookie season, but the former Indiana star made every second count - ranking 14th among all players in win shares per 40 minutes (.191) and leading the entire WNBA in effective field-goal percentage (71.4%). Do I think she's actually the most efficient scorer in the league? No, but I'll gladly take my chances on her developing into a competent rotation piece with our 10th roster spot.

21. Nyadiew Puoch, G, Dream (Toronto Tempo)

Once again, Toronto is leaning on Brondello's Australian connection and taking Nyadiew Puoch. The Aussie was drafted in the first round by Atlanta in 2024, but is currently playing in the WNBL for the UC Capitals. Would she make the WNBA jump for a coach she's familiar with? It's worth a flyer this late in the expansion draft. The 6-foot-3 Puoch is only 21 years old and has plenty of defensive upside with her length and athleticism.

22. Aubrey Griffin, F, Lynx (Portland Fire)

We're shooting for upside this deep into an expansion draft where most of the league is off the table, and I can see the path for the Griffin - a former five-star recruit with a lengthy injury history - to make an impact at some point for Portland. The 6-foot-1 forward showed promise as a scorer before injuries, and with her rights held, there's no rush to bring her over until she's rotation-ready.

23. Rayah Marshall, C/F, Sun (Toronto Tempo)

Closing out the expansion draft for Toronto, the Tempo are taking a potential defensive difference maker in Rayah Marshall. The 6-foot-4 22-year-old was a shot-blocking menace at USC (2.5 per game over four years) before the Sun selected her in the second-round last year. Though Marshall didn't play much as a rookie, she did manage to average 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per 36 minutes across 15 games. Her youth and size make her an interesting developmental rim protector for Brondello and Co., and well worth swinging on at this point in the draft.

24. Kristy Wallace, G, Fever (Portland Fire)

I'm a little shocked that Kristy Wallace, another player who won an Olympic medal with Australia under Brondello, wasn't snatched up by the Tempo to close out this mock draft. I'll gladly add a player with Wallace's upside - she's hit 37.4% of her 3-point attempts across an injury-riddled career - and bring her back from overseas when she's needed.

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📊 Full WNBA expansion mock draft predictions

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🌹 Projected Portland Fire roster 2026

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💨 Projected Toronto Tempo roster 2026

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📺 How to watch the WNBA expansion draft 2026

• Date: Friday, April 3
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Format: 2 rounds, 24 picks (snake)

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❓ WNBA expansion draft FAQ

When is the WNBA expansion draft 2026?

The 2026 WNBA expansion draft is today (Friday, April 3) at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.

How many players can each team protect?

Each team can protect five players ahead of the 2026 WNBA expansion draft; everyone else on the end-of-season roster is eligible for selection.

Who picks first in the WNBA expansion draft?

The Portland Fire will pick first in the WNBA expansion draft after the Toronto Tempo won the coin toss and deferred the top pick in favor of the No. 6 pick in the rookie draft.

Can WNBA expansion teams draft free agents?

Yes, teams can select free agents in the WNBA expansion draft. They can only select one free agent per expansion team, and if that player's core eligibility is exhausted, the selecting team gets exclusive supermax negotiating rights.

Can WNBA expansion teams draft rookies?

The WNBA expansion draft will not include any incoming college players, who will be selected in the annual rookie draft on Monday, April 13.

What happened to the original Portland Fire?

The Portland Fire were an expansion team from 2000-02 that folded after three seasons. The new Portland franchise will revive its original nickname for the 2026 WNBA season.