After the WNBA expansion draft, all eyes will be on the free agency as the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire received their 11 players from the expansion draft. The Chicago Sky made trades with both expansion franchises, protecting their complete roster from the expansion draft, but the free agency signings will define most of the franchises’ fate in the 2026 season.
Along with it, the expansion teams would have their first-ever WNBA draft, which is vital for both teams to have building blocks for the future. As per the current mock draft, Tempo side has a massive opportunity to bring in a franchise player in its first-ever WNBA draft.
Toronto Tempo With Chance To Build Core Around 2026 Draft Pick
The NCAA Tournament handed a clear picture to all: UCLA and South Carolina will face off for the championship game, and both sides combine over 10 WNBA prospects on the floor. As for the Tempo, they will look to make sure their first-round pick is transformational and impactful. Luckily for them, despite having the sixth overall pick, the depth in the 2026 draft class will hand them a top player.
As per WNBA analyst David Suggs, the Canadian team would land Lauren Betts. In his analysis, Suggs wrote, “Toronto general manager Monica Wright will want to make a splash with the franchise’s first-ever draft pick. We think she’ll go with Betts, a hulking talent whose interior scoring could pop at the next level.”
LAUREN BETTS VS TEXAS:
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) April 4, 2026
16 PTS
11 RBS
3 AST
3 BLK
UCLA IS HEADED TO ITS FIRST-EVER NCAA TITLE GAME! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/Xl1seIMZCJ
The 6’7” Betts won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 and is a fierce rim protector with a great scoring touch around the rim. She often attracts a double team, opening up a space and a player on offense. The UCLA leader has been a double-double machine and could fit in perfectly in Sandy Brondello’s system, who thrives on a strong forward lineup.
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In the recent low-scoring Final Four game, too, Betts pulled her side to victory with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. While Betts would be a perfect addition to the side, the Tempo team already stacked the roster with a mix of veterans and rookies in the expansion team.
Toronto Tempo Nails Expansion Draft
On April 3, 2026, the Toronto Raptors welcomed their first player via the expansion draft. Although winning the coin toss, the Tempo team was picking second in the expansion draft, and their selection of Julie Allemand from the Sparks team. The side also added experienced Marina Mabrey to run the point and Nyara Sabally from the Liberty team.
All rounds: complete. ✅
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) April 3, 2026
All of our Tempo Expansion Draft selections have been made.
Sponsored by @Instacart pic.twitter.com/Jjqf7zxZIy
Mabrey is an unrestricted free agent and not bound to the team unless the Tempo side decides to ‘core’ the guard. Adding forward Betts to the experienced guard would make much sense for the Tempo team.
Adding to these starters, the Tempo team chose a few role players who are impactful on the floor. While Brondello knows most of the players, having spent 20+ years in the league, she coached Sabally during the 2024 Liberty championship run and also Kristy Wallace during the 2024 Olympic Games, winning the bronze medal with the Australian national side.