New Era Ignites: Fire and Tempo Shape Their Futures in WNBA Expansion Draft
Portland Fire Secures Top Talent
The Portland Fire initiated the WNBA's latest expansion draft by making a significant statement, selecting Bridget Carleton as their first overall choice. This move immediately positions Carleton as a foundational player for the nascent franchise.
Toronto Tempo's Inaugural Pick
Following Portland's lead, the Toronto Tempo entered the draft by choosing Julie Allemand as their inaugural selection, signaling their strategic focus on acquiring key talent for their new roster.
The Strategic Acquisition of Bridget Carleton
Bridget Carleton's selection was particularly notable given her status as an unrestricted free agent from the Minnesota Lynx. This allows the Portland Fire to designate her as a "core" player, granting them exclusive rights to negotiate a one-year, fully guaranteed maximum contract, a crucial advantage in securing top-tier talent.
Carleton's Coveted Status
Reports indicated that the Toronto Tempo also had a strong interest in Carleton, a native of Ontario. The Portland Fire's decision to use their top pick on the 6-foot-2 forward underscored their determination to prevent her from joining their expansion rival.
Bridget Carleton's Impressive Career Trajectory
Over a seven-year career spanning 219 games, primarily with the Minnesota Lynx, Carleton has maintained solid statistics, averaging 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Her performance in 2024, where she finished third in Most Improved Player voting with career highs of 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, showcased her growing impact on the court.
Julie Allemand's Contribution to the Game
Julie Allemand, a guard previously with the Los Angeles Sparks, brings a valuable skill set, evidenced by her career averages of 5.5 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. Her remarkable 47.8% shooting from three-point range during the 2020 season with the Indiana Fever highlights her offensive prowess, despite splitting her time between European leagues and the WNBA.
Marina Mabrey's Notable Selection
Among the other significant selections, Marina Mabrey was a standout pick, chosen sixth overall by the Tempo. Despite averaging double-digit points since 2020, Mabrey had expressed dissatisfaction with her previous team, the Connecticut Sun, after their rebuilding phase, leading to a trade request that was initially denied.
Mabrey's Consistent Performance
Prior to her selection, Mabrey consistently delivered strong numbers, averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 35 games with the Sun, proving her value as a high-impact player.
Protection Rules for Existing WNBA Teams
The expansion draft guidelines allowed the WNBA's 13 existing teams, including the Golden State Valkyries, to protect only five players from being selected, necessitating difficult decisions for franchises with deep rosters.
The Full Roster of Expansion Draft Selections
The expansion draft saw a total of 22 players selected, as both Toronto and Portland opted to pass on one pick each. The comprehensive list details the strategic choices made by both new teams to build competitive rosters from the ground up.
Portland Fire's Drafted Players
The Portland Fire's selections included forward Bridget Carleton (Minnesota), guard Carla Leite (Golden State), center Luisa Geiselsoder (Dallas), forward Emily Engstler (Washington), guard Maya Caldwell (Atlanta), forward Chloe Bibby (Indiana), forward Haley Jones (Dallas), forward Nyadiew Puoch (Atlanta), guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (Los Angeles), guard Sug Sutton (Washington), and guard Nika Muhl (Seattle).
Toronto Tempo's Drafted Players
The Toronto Tempo added talent with guard Julie Allemand (Los Angeles), center Nyara Sabally (New York), guard Marina Mabrey (Connecticut), guard Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas), guard Lexi Held (Phoenix), forward Maria Conde (Golden State), forward Maria Kliundikova (Minnesota), center Adja Kane (New York), forward Nikolina Milic (Connecticut), guard Kitija Laksa (Phoenix), and guard Kristy Wallace (Indiana).
