The Toronto Tempo have made their first major franchise decision, and it signals a clear strategy focused on the future. After winning a ceremonial coin toss against the WNBA's other new franchise, the Portland Fire, Toronto opted to receive the sixth overall pick in the April 13 WNBA draft. In doing so, they passed on the opportunity to have the first selection in the WNBA expansion draft, which will now go to Portland.
The decision, finalized during a Zoom call on Friday, was determined by the flip of a silver dollar. The outcome gave Toronto the choice between two foundational paths: select first from a pool of available veteran players in the expansion draft, or select sixth from a class of up-and-coming collegiate and international stars in the regular WNBA draft. The Tempo's choice for the latter provides a revealing glimpse into their team-building philosophy before a single player has even been signed.
By choosing the higher pick in the WNBA draft, Toronto is betting on potential and the long-term value of securing a top-tier young athlete to build around. While the expansion draft offers immediate experience, the players available are those left unprotected by the league's other 12 franchises. Portland will now have the first choice of these seasoned players, plus the seventh pick in the WNBA draft, to build its inaugural roster.
A calculated gamble on youth
The strategy to prioritize a high draft pick over the top expansion choice is a calculated risk, but one that could pay significant dividends. A top-six draft pick in the WNBA can be a franchise-altering talent, a player who can grow with the team and become a cornerstone for a decade or more. This approach suggests the Tempo's management is comfortable with a potentially slower start in exchange for a higher long-term ceiling.
This contrasts with the path now laid out for the Portland Fire. By getting the first pick in the expansion draft on April 3, the Fire can select the best available player left unprotected by existing teams. This will likely be a proven veteran who can provide immediate leadership and on-court stability. This strategy could make Portland more competitive in their first season, following the precedent set by last year's expansion team, Golden State, which became the first expansion franchise to make the playoffs in its debut year.
The WNBA draft and expansion draft represent two fundamentally different pools of talent. The WNBA draft is where teams find the next generation of stars. Landing a top prospect can define a franchise, much like the city's other professional teams have experienced with high draft picks. Conversely, the expansion draft is designed to populate new rosters with established professionals without crippling the existing teams, who are allowed to protect their five best players.
Understanding the expansion draft process
With the coin toss settled, both Toronto and Portland now face a flurry of activity ahead of the expansion draft. All WNBA teams have until this Sunday to submit their lists of five protected players they will shield from being selected. Any player not on this protected list becomes available to the two new franchises.
The expansion draft itself consists of two rounds, with Toronto and Portland taking turns selecting players. A key rule limits the impact on any single existing franchise, as a team can lose a maximum of two players in total. If a team has a player selected in the first round, another player from that same team cannot be taken until the second round. This ensures a degree of parity and prevents the new teams from gutting a single competitor.
The rules also have provisions for veteran players and free agents. Any player with five or more years of service must either be designated as an unrestricted free agent or left unprotected. Toronto and Portland are each allowed to select one of these potential unrestricted free agents and can then offer them a lucrative supermax contract, which under the new collective bargaining agreement could be worth up to $1.4 million annually. This provides a powerful tool to attract a marquee name to a new city.
Building a team from scratch
The next few weeks will be critical for shaping the identity of the Toronto Tempo. The choice to build through the WNBA draft indicates a patient, long-term approach. The front office will now focus its scouting efforts on identifying the best available prospect who is likely to be available at the sixth position. The draft is considered deep with talent this year, and a future all-star could certainly be available at that spot.
While Portland will build its initial core around a veteran from the expansion draft, Toronto will look to its first-ever draft pick as the face of the franchise. The two teams will also alternate picks in the later rounds of the WNBA draft; Toronto will have the seventh pick in the second round and the sixth pick in the third round, while Portland will pick sixth in the second round and seventh in the third.
This process marks the second consecutive year of expansion for the WNBA, a testament to the league's surging popularity and growth. As Toronto prepares to welcome its newest professional sports team, the front office has made its first definitive move. The focus is not on a quick start, but on building a sustainable winner, starting with a young star on April 13.
