It’s that time of the year again as a draft is set to take place this Friday for the two newest teams joining the WNBA. Last season Golden State had the privilege to select players for their roster and now are in the hot seat with the other teams.
Current franchises are forced to protect five instead of six players going into this recruitment process. I know this draft will affect certain teams to maintain consistency towards free agency. The front office is probably stressing on which players should remain for the upcoming season.
Toronto and Portland are not going to be your favorite team after they make the selections for their roster. As the draft approaches in two days, the question is who will become a Tempo or Fire and what will both teams’ identity look like in the inaugural season.
Toronto Tempo is the first franchise outside of the United States to have a professional women’s sports team. Over the past three seasons, the league scheduled preseason games in Canada to expand the viewership that would eventually lead to Toronto having its own team.
Tempo hired veteran coach Sandy Brondello as the team’s inaugural coach after spending the last few seasons in New York. Brondello in my opinion is a perfect hire for Toronto from her experience as a player and coach.
She is a two-time WNBA champion, Coach of the Year, and has coached many of the best athletes that have played in this league. I’ve seen what Brondello is capable of over the years as a fan and enemy. She expects all her teams to make a run in the playoffs which the Tempo may achieve.
I know Brondello selections for the team are mostly players that are international or impact veteran players to build for major roles. The team’s identity is probably playing towards the post season and chasing for a title. I think the Tempo could get at least two veterans on the roster and the rest of the team are player rights or limited playing experience.
Portland Fire makes a return to the WNBA rebuilding a new era after a short stint in the early 2000s. The Fire were once known for their competitiveness and huge fan base in Oregon before I was born. Portland has never played in the playoffs, but this is their second chance to make history.
The Fire brings in former NBA assistant coach Alex Sarama who has a great background in developing players in the global game. He is also accompanied by former WNBA champion and future hall of famer Sylvia Fowles who will help with building the identity of the roster.
Sarama and Fowles together can form a group of talented and defensive-minded groups that will establish the team’s achievement towards the future. I feel like Portland could be a team that pulls upsets and seek their way in the playoffs.
I’m intrigued to see how the Fire will create their roster and what the team’s outlook of building off of something that was just getting started. I can see Portland also aiming for international or young players to work around with some veteran on the side to lead the group. Depending on how Portland looks, they are redeemed to put on an exciting season in the franchise’s return.
Toronto and Portland are going into this expansion draft like they want to take the best available players that Golden State wished they could have selected. I fear that both teams could turn out to be great and excel in their inaugural season.
Based on how the process goes for both teams, if they don’t get the players they wanted there is a slight chance that both could sign someone in free agency. I’m excited for this upcoming draft but hope the expansion teams take no selection from New York.
