WNBA Expansion Draft: Who will the Portland Fire pick?

The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft will be held on Friday and air on ESPN.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:53pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the dynamic action of the sport.The Portland Fire's inaugural WNBA roster takes shape as the team makes strategic picks in the league's expansion draft.Portland Today

The Portland Fire will have the first pick in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft on Friday, as the league's newest team builds its inaugural roster. Portland and the Toronto Tempo will alternate picks in a 'snake' format, selecting from a pool of unprotected players made available by the league's 13 existing teams.

Why it matters

The Expansion Draft is a crucial moment for the Portland Fire as they assemble their first-ever WNBA roster. The team's selections will shape the on-court identity and competitiveness of the franchise in its debut season.

The details

Each existing WNBA team can protect up to five players from being selected. Portland and Toronto may choose from any unprotected players, as well as one 'Potential Unrestricted Free Agent' - a player who has completed her contract and has five or more years of service. The Fire and Tempo can also make trades with other teams up until the draft begins.

  • The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3.
  • The draft will air live on ESPN.

The players

Portland Fire

The WNBA's newest expansion team, set to make its debut in the 2026 season.

Toronto Tempo

The other expansion team joining the WNBA in 2026, who will alternate picks with the Portland Fire in the Expansion Draft.

Angel Reese

Star player for the Chicago Sky, who the Portland Fire will face in their inaugural game on May 9.

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What’s next

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will make their selections in the WNBA Expansion Draft on Friday, April 3, with the draft airing live on ESPN.

The takeaway

The Expansion Draft is a critical moment for the Portland Fire as they build their inaugural WNBA roster. The team's selections will lay the foundation for their on-court identity and competitiveness in their debut season.