What is a WNBA Expansion Draft & Why Does It Matter?
How Does the WNBA Expansion Draft Work?
When a new team joins the WNBA, it needs a roster before the regular draft. To help expansion teams build a competitive squad, the league holds an Expansion Draft, allowing the new franchise to select players from existing teams.
The process follows these key steps:
🟠 Existing Teams Protect Players – In the 2026 cycle, each WNBA team was allowed to protect up to five players, a decrease from the six protected spots allowed in previous years. This ensures a deeper pool of talent for incoming teams.
🟠 Unprotected Players Are Available – Any player not among the protected five—including those on the retired or reserved lists—is eligible for selection.
🟠 Expansion Team Selects Players – The new franchises (Toronto and Portland) alternated picks in a two-round snake draft, selecting a total of 11 players each from the unprotected lists of the 13 existing teams.
🟠 Trades & Free Agency Follow – After the Expansion Draft, the team can sign free agents and make trades to further shape its roster.
Recent Example:
Toronto Tempo & Portland Fire (2026 Expansion Draft)
On April 3, 2026, the league held its expansion draft for the two newest teams:
🔸 Bridget Carleton (Portland via Minnesota) – The No. 1 overall expansion pick, a versatile forward and Canadian national team star who provides immediate spacing.
🔸 Marina Mabrey (Toronto via Connecticut) – A high-volume scoring guard who serves as the inaugural face of the Toronto franchise.
🔸 Nyara Sabally (Toronto via New York) – A 2024 champion brought in to anchor the interior for the Tempo.
🔸 Carla Leite (Portland via Golden State) – A young, aggressive guard who was also a 2025 expansion selection by the Valkyries before moving to Portland.
🔸 Nika Mühl (Portland via Seattle) – An elite perimeter defender to add to the Fire’s backcourt.
Why Is the WNBA Expansion Draft Important?
The Expansion Draft ensures that new teams don’t enter the league starting completely from scratch. Instead of relying solely on raw rookies to carry the load, these new franchises gain access to experienced veterans who can step in and help them compete immediately.
However, building a competitive foundation through an expansion draft is rarely smooth. These teams often face tough structural hurdles, including limited star power because established franchises protect their best players, the difficult task of building instant locker room chemistry with a brand-new group, and strict salary cap constraints that make balancing veteran contracts a constant challenge.
What’s Next for Expansion in the WNBA?
With the successful launch of Toronto and Portland, the WNBA has officially entered its 15-team era. The Toronto Tempo made history as the league’s first international team, while the Portland Fire return to one of the most electric markets in the West. But the growth doesn’t stop here. All eyes are already turning toward Cleveland as the likely “next team up” to potentially join the league for the 2028 season, keeping the momentum of the W’s historic expansion moving forward.
Helpful Links
WNBA Expansion: Essential Fan Resources
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