WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? - The Athletic

The 2026 WNBA offseason is expected to see significant player movement due to free agency and an expansion draft for the new Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire teams. While star players are unlikely to be selected, past expansion drafts, like Golden State's, have yielded valuable talent such as All-Stars.

The expansion draft rules are pending a new collective bargaining agreement but are modeled after historical precedents, including the last multi-team draft in 2000. In a mock draft simulation by The Athletic, the structure involves 12 rounds with specific player protection rules for existing teams. Toronto selects first, with the draft order alternating, and teams can protect additional players after the sixth round. Expansion teams can select unrestricted free agents but may only designate one with a core contract.

In the mock draft, Dallas Wings players like Li Yueru are highlighted as potential valuable picks for expansion teams. Despite protecting five players, Dallas has several unprotected assets, including younger players with team-friendly contracts and veterans like Arike Ogunbowale, though selecting her would require using a core designation.