As collective bargaining talks remain unsettled, WNBA front offices approach the offseason amid numerous uncertainties. Key among these is the expansion draft planned for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire ahead of the 2026 season, which has been delayed. Typically, such a draft would already be completed; the Golden State Valkyries held theirs on December 6, 2024, for the 2025 season.
The expansion draft cannot proceed until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is finalized because many draft eligibility rules are tied to this agreement. The league has yet to announce the specific rules for the draft, which will only be known once the CBA is ratified.
That said, the upcoming rules are expected to resemble those from the last multi-team expansion draft over 25 years ago, which included the Indiana Fever, Miami Thor (defunct), Portland Fire (disbanded but returning in 2026 under new ownership), and Seattle Storm. In that 2000 draft, teams could protect only five players, and each of the four new teams picked six players in a snake draft format, impacting 24 players in total.
This time, there are just two expansion teams — Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — each possibly selecting up to 12 players. Existing teams like the Fever will likely be allowed to protect only five players, one fewer than the six spots the Golden State Valkyries had in last year’s draft.
One complication for Toronto and Portland is that nearly all veteran players are currently free agents in some form. The new CBA may alter expansion draft rules, especially concerning free agency and core player designations. Players can remain in the core for up to two years, but this might be reduced to one year or removed altogether.
Despite these unknowns, teams are preparing as much as possible. IndyStar predicts the Indiana Fever will protect five players in the 2026 expansion draft: Caitlin Clark (under contract through 2027), Aliyah Boston (contracted through 2026), Lexi Hull (restricted free agent), Kelsey Mitchell (unrestricted free agent), and Makayla Timpson (signed through 2028).
Clark and Boston, the Fever’s recent top draft picks, are foundational players signed through the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Hull, a key role player, will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Fever can match offers from other teams to retain her. Timpson showed promise in her rookie year despite limited minutes and is also under contract through 2028.
Mitchell’s status hinges on potential rule changes. If core designations remain at two years, the Fever will protect her again. But if core status drops to one year, Mitchell would become an unrestricted free agent and be ineligible for both the core and the expansion draft, forcing the Fever to protect another player instead.
Players likely not to be protected include Sophie Cunningham (unrestricted free agent), Sidney Colson, Damiris Dantas, Real Estate McDonald’s, Brianna Turner, and Christy Wallace (contractual rights). Cunningham’s status may also shift depending on changes to core player rules. If the core period shortens, Fever could use an available protection slot on her, though she might not qualify as a core player for the expansion teams due to salary concerns.
Other unrestricted free agents wouldn’t be strong core candidates for the Tempo or Fire, and Natasha Howard, having already been a core player for three years, is ineligible.
If core rules change, Fever might also opt to keep pending free agent Chloe Bibby or Christie Wallace, who missed the 2025 season for personal reasons. Overall, the Fever are in a solid position, likely able to protect their main players, with the Tempo and Fire faced with choosing among Bibby, Wallace, or others.
Fan Take: This evolving expansion draft scenario is crucial for WNBA fans as it highlights the complexities of growing the league while balancing player rights and team competitiveness. How these negotiations and rules unfold could significantly impact the league’s talent distribution and future growth, making it an exciting yet uncertain offseason.
