Friday’s 2026 WNBA expansion draft gave the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire plenty of quality players to kick off those franchises in modern league competition.
Both rosters (attached below) have good players, even if only one roster (at least in our view) has a true ace who can take over games. However, compared to Thursday obviously, both franchises are in a much better spot.
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What are our big takeaways? Well, we’ve looked at how each team fared and gleaned some quick insights into how each team might fare once they kick off league play in May.
But, first, the complete rosters for both Toronto and Portland after Friday’s unveiling.
Marina Mabrey is the new face of the Toronto Tempo
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)
Unless Toronto lands a huge free agent later in the month, the team adding Mabrey in the expansion draft makes her the new face of the franchise. Mabrey is the most likely to light up the scoreboard from beyond the arc and win over fans in the opening months of the season. Sandy Brondello will lean on Mabrey as her new Sabrina Ionescu in terms of the type of offense she wants to run. Expect Mabrey to have a monster season in Toronto by default.
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Bridget Carleton is a surprise first pick for Portland
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 21: Bridget Carleton #6 of the Minnesota Lynx reacts after scoring in the second quarter against the Dallas Wings at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
Carleton is a good player and has been integral to the Minnesota Lynx’s recent success. Portland snagging her with the top expansion draft pick is a bit of a surprise, but we get it. She’s going to step in and start right away. She’s a tone-setter for a new franchise; the pick makes sense. However, Mabrey is the splashier addition if you ask us. Splash doesn’t win games, but we would have expected one to go over the other before Friday’s reveal.
Toronto came out on top by a slim margin
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 24: Sandy Brondello the head coach of the New York Liberty during the 90-88 win over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Toronto walking away with a new “Big 3” of Mabrey, guard Julie Allemand and center Nyara Sabally (who Brondello coaches in New York) is a heck of a start for the Tempo. Sure, that trio is not going to win you a title, but it’s a much better foundation than you’d expect after an expansion draft. Guards Aaliyah Nye and forward Maria Kliundikova both offer so much potential and will develop under one of the league’s best coaches. We’re not sure how the Tempo will be in the first year of competition, but we expect Brondello’s group to be a feisty out at the least.
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Portland needs an ace to be genuinely competitive in 2026
PORTLAND, OREGON – JULY 15: Former WNBA player Olympia Scott shakes hands with young fans during the Portland Fire WNBA Launch Party at the Moda Center on July 15, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Fire is one of the WNBA’s newest teams and revives the name of Portland’s former WNBA team that existed from 2000-2002. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
The Fire’s roster has plenty of appealing young players, but the team lacks a true ace. Toronto has one in Mabrey; she can go off for 30 points on any given night, even if she’s not consistent at that. Portland can take its 2026 WNBA expansion draft picks and cobble together a respectable first season as it is. However, the team does not yet have a big threat player who can take over games. Perhaps one is coming in free agency or the draft?
Will Kristy Wallace play for Toronto in 2026?
Kristy Wallace has played for the Indiana Fever for two years. She made 15 starts in 2024.
Wallace started games for Indiana in 2024, but she didn’t play in the WNBA in 2025. Will that change in 2026? Perhaps Toronto knows Wallace is set to return to her WNBA career, making her a great sixth option for the Tempo. However, there are no guarantees she’s back. If Wallace indeed makes her return for Toronto, she’ll make an impact.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: WNBA expansion draft results and takeaways for 2026 edition
