The Portland Fire recently announced significant changes to its roster, releasing three players and elevating two others from developmental contracts to full team status. This strategic realignment aims to optimize the team's composition as they navigate their inaugural WNBA season.
On Thursday, May 21, the Portland Fire made pivotal roster decisions, releasing Haley Jones, Kamiah Smalls, and Sug Sutton. Concurrently, the team officially moved Frieda Bühner and Holly Winterburn from developmental agreements to standard contracts, integrating them into the core roster. These adjustments come as the Fire continues to solidify its lineup for the competitive WNBA landscape.
Among the players released, Haley Jones and Sug Sutton were notable acquisitions from the 2026 WNBA expansion draft. Sutton, previously with the Washington Mystics, and Jones, formerly with the Dallas Wings, were expected to play key roles. Kamiah Smalls had joined the Portland Fire as a free agent just the prior month. Sutton demonstrated strong performance in her recent appearances, particularly in the game against the Indiana Fever, where she scored 14 points in a 90-73 defeat. Over three games, including two starts, she maintained averages of 11.3 points and 5.7 assists, placing her among the league's top ten in assists per game. Sutton's career has seen her play for multiple WNBA teams, including the Phoenix Mercury, and she has experience in various international leagues.
Haley Jones, a distinguished former Pac-12 Player of the Year and national champion from Stanford, has experienced a dynamic professional journey. Drafted sixth overall by the Atlanta Dream in 2023, she was later waived before the season commenced. She subsequently played four games for the Mercury before joining Dallas, where she started in 16 of her 24 appearances. Jones participated in all five of Portland's games this season, averaging 4.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 112 career games. Kamiah Smalls, a former CAA Player of the Year from James Madison, has accumulated 15 WNBA games since 2020 and has also played professionally in Europe. Frieda Bühner, a second-round draft pick for the Fire this year, represented Germany in the 2024 Olympics, while Holly Winterburn brings experience from playing in England, Turkey, Greece, and collegiate basketball at Oregon, in addition to representing Great Britain in the EuroCup. The Portland Fire currently holds a 2-3 record in its inaugural season.
These roster movements reflect the Portland Fire's ongoing efforts to build a competitive team for their debut season in the WNBA. The promotions of Bühner and Winterburn indicate a focus on integrating new talent and adapting strategies following initial performance assessments. The organization continues to evaluate its lineup to achieve optimal synergy and success in the league.
