2026 WNBA Expansion Teams Review Performance and Draft Impact

The expansion draft played a crucial role in shaping both teams, providing a glimpse into their team-building strategies. With the season nearly over, this review assesses the impacts of draft selections for both teams.

**Portland Fire**

- **No. 1 pick — Bridget Carleton**: Carleton has emerged as a promising choice, averaging 14.3 points per game on 36.8% shooting from three-point range. She also ranks among the league leaders with 1.6 steals per game.

- **No. 3 pick — Carla Leite**: Leite is the Fire's standout performer this season, contributing 15.8 points and 6.3 assists per game, showing significant improvement in her shooting.

- **No. 5 pick — Luisa Geiselsöder**: After a slow start, averaging 6 points per game, Geiselsöder's future with the Fire is uncertain following a mid-season lineup change and contract suspension.

- **No. 7 pick — Emily Engstler**: Playing increased minutes, Engstler has averaged 10.3 points per game and boasts strong defensive stats.

- **No. 9 pick — Maya Caldwell**: Caldwell, traded to the Lynx before the season, has averaged 4 points per game.

- **No. 11 pick — Chloe Bibby**: Bibby was traded before the season; her time with the Fire was brief.

- **No. 14 pick — Haley Jones**: Jones averaged 5.2 points before being waived and has since returned to the Wings in a lesser role.

- **No. 16 pick — Nyadiew Puoch**: Playing in 41 games, Puoch has posted an average of 4 points but struggles with shooting percentages.

- **No. 18 pick — Sarah Ashlee Barker**: Barker quickly became a key player, averaging 10.7 points per game before suffering an ACL injury.

- **No. 20 pick — Sug Sutton**: Waived by the Fire early in the season, Sutton subsequently played for the Wings before her recent release.

- **No. 24 pick — Nika Mühl**: Mühl has not played this season due to a torn ACL but remains under consideration for future seasons.

Overall, five Portland players from the draft have remained integral contributors, affirming their roles in the team's future.

**Toronto Tempo**

- **No. 2 pick — Julie Allemand**: Allemand has seen improvement, shooting 42.4% from three-point range while averaging 5.6 assists and 6.3 points.

- **No. 4 pick — Nyara Sabally**: Struggling with health, Sabally averaged 12.3 points per game when on the court, showcasing her potential as a valuable player.

- **No. 6 pick — Marina Mabrey**: Mabrey is the standout selection from this draft, making the All-Star team and tying the WNBA single-game scoring record with 53 points.

- **No. 8 pick — Aaliyah Nye**: Nye was waived before the season and struggled to find a consistent role.

- **No. 10 pick — Lexi Held**: After a brief spell with the Tempo, Held returned to the Mercury, where she has thrived.

- **No. 13 pick — María Conde**: Playing a significant role despite injuries to teammates, Conde averages 8.9 points per game and ranks fourth on the team in minutes.

- **No. 15 pick — Maria Kliundikova**: Kliundikova did not play for the Tempo this season and was traded to the Sun.

- **No. 17 pick — Adja Kane**: Kane opted to continue with her NCAA career and was drafted by the Liberty.

- **No. 19 pick — Nikolina Milić**: Milić averaged 3 points before being waived mid-season.

- **No. 21 pick — Kitija Laksa**: Waived by Toronto, Laksa has since joined the Wings.

- **No. 23 pick — Kristy Wallace**: Also waived by the Tempo, Wallace previously contributed to other teams.

In conclusion, while the Tempo secured four key contributors from their expansion draft, the Fire appear to have benefitted more significantly from their draft selections, identifying players like Carleton and Leite as foundational elements for their future.