Next Friday’s 2026 WNBA expansion draft will send new players to the incoming Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. The draft order is set, and existing WNBA teams can now protect up to five players ahead of time.
How will the draft work? In essence, the Fire will draft first and the Tempo will draft second in a snake-style draft, picking from the available pool of unprotected players.
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The new teams can choose from any unprotected players on any WNBA roster but can only draft one impending free agent each. That means the Tempo and Fire will largely choose from players who are rostered on rookie deals or are restricted free agents or exclusive rights free agents.
Who will the various teams in the WNBA protect? We’ve gone through and predicted the five protections for each team ahead of next week’s big expansion draft.
Atlanta Dream
Jun 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) looks to pass in front of Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Expected Protections: G Jordin Canada (UFA), G Allisha Gray (UFA), G Rhyne Howard (RFA), G Te-Hina Paopao (rostered), F Naz Hillmon (RFA)
The Dream can’t afford to leave free agents like Gray and Canada available in the expansion draft, so they both get protections along with non-UFA keeps like Howard, Hillmon and Paopao.
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Chicago Sky
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 14: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on before a game against the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena on July 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Expected protections: C Kamilla Cardoso (rostered), F Angel Reese (rostered), G Hailey Van Lith (rostered), F Maddy Westbeld (rostered), G Sevgi Uzun (ERFA)
Chicago’s protections aren’t a shock; they keep all five of their non-unrestricted players around for 2026 (for now).
Connecticut Sun
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 20: Marina Mabrey #3 of the Connecticut Sun plays against the Dallas Wings during a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Marina Mabrey (UFA), F Aaliyah Edwards (rostered), F Aneesah Morrow (rostered), G Saniya Rivers (rostered), G Leila Lacan (rostered)
The Sun are an interesting team to watch. Whether or not they protect Mabrey will be the key, as we’re just not sure if the team would prioritize making her exempt in the hope of signing her to an extension. Perhaps Connecticut would rather keep forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa and allow Mabrey to be unprotected.
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Dallas Wings
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 13: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings walks on the court during a break in the fourth quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Wings 88-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Arike Ogunbowale (UFA), G Paige Bueckers (rostered), F Maddy Siegrist (rostered), G Aziaha James (rostered), G JJ Quinerly (rostered)
Dallas could opt to leave Ogunbowale unprotected, making her a very intriguing pickup for either Portland or Toronto. However, we’ll guess the Wings will protect her along with four of the team’s brightest young players in Bueckers (duh), Siegrist, James and Quinerly. We’ll guess they hold on to Ogunbowale just in case they want to work out an extension. However, don’t be shocked if she’s the biggest player available if unprotected by Dallas.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21: Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries shoots over Sonia Citron #22 of the Washington Mystics during the second half at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Expected protections: F Kayla Thornton (UFA), F Janelle Salaun (ERFA), C Iliana Rupert (ERFA), G Veronica Burton (RFA), G Carla Leite (rostered)
Golden State has no great options, as the 2025 expansion team may lose two key players just because they can only protect so many of their recent additions. Why the Valkyries weren’t exempt from this process is a real question.
Indiana Fever
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – MAY 14: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the first quarter against the Connecticut Sun in the game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Caitlin Clark (rostered), G Kelsey Mitchell (UFA), F Aliyah Boston (rostered), F Makayla Timpson (rostered), G Lexie Hull (RFA)
The Fever will, of course, protect its best players like Clark, Boston and Mitchell. Keeping Hull and Timpson around also makes a lot of sense as Indiana tries to build a contender. We imagine Indiana won’t lose any of its pending free agents that aren’t protected, either. Forward Chloe Bibby will be the team’s biggest draw for an expansion team.
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Las Vegas Aces
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 03: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 03, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Expected protections: C A’ja Wilson (UFA), G Jackie Young (UFA), G Chelsea Gray (UFA), F NaLyssa Smith (rostered), G Dana Evans (rostered)
Here’s one of your big splashes. The Aces can’t keep everyone, and Wilson, Young and Gray are just too good together to split that trio up. Smith is a given to be kept after the team traded a first-round pick for her last year, too. We will take a risky guess here and bet that Vegas wants to keep Evans, its playoffs hero, in the fold for the long haul over veteran guard Jewel Lloyd, who only played a year with the Aces after her trade from the Seattle Storm.
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Los Angeles Sparks
Kelsey Plum last participated in the 3-point contest in 2022.
Expected protections: F Cameron Brink (rostered), F Rickea Jackson (rostered), G Kelsey Plum (UFA), F Dearica Hamby (UFA), F Rae Burrell (UFA)
The Sparks keeping Brink, Jackson, Plum and Hamby protected is no big shock. Leaving forward Azurá Stevens available to keep Burrell safe might surprise some. Burrell has a higher ceiling at this point in her career, and she should come at a lesser contract than Stevens after the latter’s breakout season.
Minnesota Lynx
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 18: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx before the start of the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Expected protections: F Napheesa Collier (UFA), G Kayla McBride (UFA), G Courtney Williams (UFA), F Alanna Smith (UFA), F Jessica Shepard (UFA)
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The first four of five protected are givens, but you could change out some of Minnesota’s other vets with guard DiJonai Carrington here.
New York Liberty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 28: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty dribbles during the second half against the Washington Mystics at Barclays Center on August 28, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Sabrina Ionescu (UFA), G Natasha Cloud (UFA), F Jonquel Jones (UFA), F Breanna Stewart (UFA), F Leonie Fiebich (rostered)
The Liberty protect their best four players and the young Fiebich, who still has lots of potential.
Phoenix Mercury
Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the New York Liberty during the second half of the WNBA game at PHX Arena on Aug. 30, 2025, in Phoenix. The Mercury defeated the Liberty 80-63.
Expected protections: G Kahleah Copper (UFA), F Satou Sabally (UFA), F Alyssa Thomas (UFA), G Monique Akoa-Makani (ERFA), F Lexi Held (ERFA)
The Mercury protect its most important pending free agents and two young players who we’re guessing the team won’t want to lose in Akoa-Makini and Held.
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Seattle Storm
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 19: Nneka Ogwumike #3 of the Seattle Storm shoots the ball against the Dallas Wings during the second half at College Park Center on May 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Brittney Sykes (UFA), G Skylar Diggins-Smith (UFA), C Dominique Malonga (rostered), F Gabby Williams (UFA), F Nneka Ogwumike (UFA)
Seattle keeps its four best veterans and its rising star protected; no big surprises here.
Washington Mystics
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 22: Sonia Citron #22 of the Washington Mystics celebrates with Kiki Iriafen #44 after scoring the game-winning three-point shot in overtime against the Dallas Wings at Carefirst Arena on June 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Expected protections: G Jacy Sheldon (rostered), F Kiki Iriafen (rostered), G Sonia Citron (rostered), G Georgia Amoore (rostered), C Shakira Austin (RFA)
Washington has a lot of young talent it will want to keep protected, which means some of the other young players on the roster will be left unprotected.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2026 WNBA expansion draft: Predicting each team’s 5 protections
