The WNBA 2026 season will be underway in less than two months, and the franchises are already suiting up with their rosters. Two franchises that will build their rosters from scratch are Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, who debut in the 2026 season as expansion teams.
With the CBA confirmation taking time, Toronto Tempo Head Coach Sandy Brondello expressed concern about the delayed WNBA 2026 schedule. But now she will be in action, materializing her plan into reality and to start off with, she will have a second pick in the WNBA expansion draft on April 3.
Toronto Tempo To Choose Second In WNBA Expansion Draft
With two new franchises joining the league, the WNBA decided the order of the expansion draft selections with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss makes the decision for the expansion draft pick and accordingly will have a place in the draft selection in the WNBA draft, too.
As per the current update, the Toronto Tempo won the toss and selected to choose second in the expansion draft. This decision lands the m higher draft selection amongst both franchises, which happens to be the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft class.
Choosing second, always in command.
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) March 27, 2026
After the coin toss, we have the second overall pick in the 2026 Tempo Expansion Draft.
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The expansion draft selection will then take place in ‘snake’ format, allowing the franchise to choose third in the expansion draft, handing them a chance to choose two of the top three expansion draft picks, offering a unique advantage to attract top talent.
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This strategic positioning reflects the organization’s commitment to building a strong foundation as it enters the highly competitive WNBA landscape. Their choice to take the sixth overall pick also highlights a commitment to put trust in the young core for the future.
Flau’Jae Johnson Could Be Toronto Tempo’s First Overall Pick In WNBA
As much as the free agency and expansion draft picks are talented, the 2026 WNBA draft is also one of the deepest one in the league’s history allowing teams to get top young stars to build around. While Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd or Olivia Miles might not be available for the selection till sixth selection, the Tempo side could pick Flau’jae Johnson as its first overall draft pick in franchise history.
2026 WNBA Mock Draft
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 18, 2026
3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, UConn
6. Portland Fire: Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
11. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, South Carolina
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Interestingly, Johnson also expressed a desire to play for the Tempo team in her recent interview. LSU senior guard is defined by her evolution into a three-level scorer and a lockdown perimeter defender. The “heart and soul” of the Tigers, she balances a high-scoring offensive repertoire with a relentless, high-energy defensive motor.