Portland Fire GM Explains Drafting Nika Mühl With Emotional Focus On Helping Her Return to Form

The WNBA expansion draft had two new teams electing from the ‘unprotected’ players pool. Portland Fire started the proceedings and also ended the draft, selecting Nika Muhl as its final pick of the 206 WNBA expansion draft.

While the selection of other players was understandable for many, picking an injured player, who would be out for the season, surprised many. As expected, reporters asked the question in the press conference, and GM Vanja Černivec provided the franchise’s view.

Portland Fire GM Provides Reason For Selection Of Nika Mhl

Selected 14th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm, the guard saw limited rookie action, averaging 3.6 minutes across 16 games. Recent knee injuries have sidelined her for the 2025 and 2026 WNBA seasons. So to answer the ‘selection’ question, the Fire GM gave the ‘emotional’ angle.

She said, “Nika was a personal pick for us. Both Ashley (Battle) have known her since she was very young… We are going to have the best performance and health in the league. We can bring her back to life.”

"We can bring her back to life."

Our General Manager, Vanja Černivec spoke to the press on the personal connection she and Ashley Battle share with Nika Mühl and our dedication to having "the best performance and health team in the league." pic.twitter.com/gKxxsSGawV

— Portland Fire (@theportlandfire) April 5, 2026

The player has a storied college career playing for the UConn Huskies. The Croatian star concluded her career as the program’s all-time leader in assists with 686 dimes and also holds single-season and single-game assists records. A defensive specialist, she was twice named Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023) and earned two AP All-America Honorable Mention nods.

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But the expansion team from Portland is not only relying on Mika Muhl and looks to develop multiple untapped stars selected via the draft.

Portland Fire Rely On Young Stars

The Portland Fire managed to solidify its core by focusing on an equal combination of experience and promising future prospects. Portland’s General Manager, Vanja Černivec, chose to go with veteran players first, starting with 7-year experienced Bridget Carleton to create some leadership within the team; however, he decided to mainly focus on younger prospects after that.

A new chapter in Portland 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4FS6Ipmqzm

— Portland Fire (@theportlandfire) April 3, 2026

Some examples of younger prospects include guard Carla Leite from Valkyries, who is known for her toughness and competitive play, and forward Emily Engstler from Mystics. Additionally, the team picked up forward Haley Jones in 2023 through the sixth overall pick and 2004-born forward Nyadiew Puoch.

With a total number of 11 players drafted who represent both tenacity and potential, Portland has chosen a way to develop its squad in order to make it more competitive under pressure than hiring experienced veterans. Interestingly, the other expansion team, Toronto Tempo, went with a completely opposite strategy in the expansion draft with their picks.