The WNBA expansion draft kicks off Friday as the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo begin building their rosters. With the new CBA finalized, both teams will select unprotected players from the league's 13 existing franchises in a two-round process. The draft follows specific rules, including limits on selecting unrestricted free agents and the ability for Portland and Toronto to offer supermax contracts.

Each team submitted five protected players, leaving others vulnerable to selection. Notable unprotected players include Maya Caldwell from Atlanta, who has persevered through multiple roster cuts to become a reliable contributor, and Lindsay Allen from Connecticut, a veteran guard with eight seasons of experience across six teams. Kierstan Bell from Las Vegas stands out as a proven scorer with championship experience at a reasonable contract.

The expansion teams made strategic trades with Chicago, swapping draft picks rather than selecting from their unprotected list. This draft represents a crucial opportunity for Portland and Toronto to establish competitive foundations, with players like Emma Meesseman from New York potentially available despite her Finals MVP pedigree. The selections made Friday will significantly shape both franchises' trajectories as they enter the league.