Winners and Losers of 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo made their selections in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, representing the dynamic action and roster-building of a WNBA expansion draft.The 2026 WNBA expansion draft sets the stage for new teams in Portland and Toronto to build their inaugural rosters through a mix of established talent and promising young players.San Jose Today

The first stage of the ultra-condensed 2026 WNBA offseason is complete, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo making their selections in the expansion draft. Each team was permitted to make up to 12 selections, including one unrestricted free agent (UFA) apiece. Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton was the No. 1 overall pick by Portland, while Toronto used its UFA pick on Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey.

Why it matters

The expansion draft is a crucial first step in building out the rosters for the new WNBA franchises. The decisions made by Portland and Toronto will have long-term implications, as they look to build competitive teams from the ground up and establish themselves in the league.

The details

The expansion draft saw some notable players change teams, including former first-round picks Carla Leite (Golden State Valkyries to Portland Fire) and Nyara Sabally (New York Liberty to Toronto Tempo). Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm managed to retain most of their core, losing only former UConn guard Nika Muhl to Portland. The Chicago Sky opted to trade their 17th and 26th overall picks to the expansion teams in exchange for full immunity in the draft.

  • The expansion draft took place on April 3, 2026.
  • The next stage of the WNBA offseason, including qualifying offers and free agency, will begin on April 7-8, 2026.

The players

Bridget Carleton

A forward for the Minnesota Lynx, Carleton was the No. 1 overall pick by the Portland Fire in the expansion draft. She has been a key contributor for the Lynx, finishing third in Most Improved Player voting in 2024 and starting all 44 games in 2025.

Carla Leite

A guard for the Golden State Valkyries, Leite was the No. 4 overall pick by the Portland Fire. She had a promising rookie season in 2025, averaging 7.2 points per game, and is expected to take on a larger role with the expansion team.

Nyara Sabally

A forward for the New York Liberty, Sabally was the No. 3 overall pick by the Toronto Tempo. The former No. 5 overall pick in 2022 will have the opportunity to be a key piece in the Tempo's frontcourt.

Nika Muhl

A guard for the Seattle Storm, Muhl was selected with the No. 20 overall pick by the Portland Fire. She is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus and will miss the entirety of the 2026 season.

Ariel Atkins

A guard for the Chicago Sky, Atkins was protected by the Sky in the expansion draft, as they traded their 17th and 26th overall picks to the expansion teams in exchange for full immunity.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“With our 1st pick in the WNBA Expansion Draft, we've selected Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx.”

— Portland Fire

What’s next

The next chapter of the WNBA offseason kicks off on Tuesday, April 7-8, 2026, as teams can make qualifying offers. Negotiations will officially begin on April 9, with players eligible to sign formal deals on April 12.

The takeaway

The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft saw the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo make their initial roster selections, with some notable players changing teams. While the expansion teams face an uphill battle to be immediate contenders, the draft provided them with a foundation to build upon as they look to establish themselves in the league.