The Toronto Tempo is actively building its roster ahead of its debut season in the WNBA, successfully navigating the league’s expansion draft. Despite a condensed timeline and recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, the team’s front office expressed confidence in their strategic approach.

Navigating a Challenging Draft Process

Eli Horowitz, the Tempo’s assistant general manager, acknowledged the challenges presented by the draft taking place just two weeks after a tentative agreement on a new CBA. He emphasized the experience of General Manager Monica Wright Rogers and Head Coach Sandy Brondello as vital in managing the complexities of the process.

Leveraging Front Office Expertise

Horowitz explained that the Tempo’s front office leveraged its extensive knowledge of the global player pool – encompassing the WNBA, collegiate, and international leagues – to make informed decisions. The team prioritized selecting players with existing WNBA experience to facilitate a rapid integration into the team’s systems.

Focus on Experienced Players

The team’s strategy centered on acquiring players who could quickly adapt to the demands of the WNBA, both domestically and internationally. The front office also aimed to foster a welcoming environment for new players, emphasizing a positive atmosphere to ease their transition to Toronto.

Expansion Draft Selections

The Tempo selected a total of 11 players in the expansion draft, with guard Julie Allemand, formerly of the Los Angeles Sparks, as their first pick. Other selections included Marina Mabrey, Nikolina Milic, María Conde, Kristy Wallace, Aaliyah Nye, Maria Kliundikova, Adja Kane, Nyara Sabally, Lexi Held, and Kitija Laksa. The Portland Fire chose Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx as their first pick.

Securing Future Draft Capital

The Tempo also secured the sixth pick in the upcoming WNBA draft through a coin toss. Additionally, the team strategically acquired a pick from the Chicago Sky, demonstrating their commitment to building a strong roster.

Looking Ahead to the Draft and Free Agency

Horowitz acknowledged that work remains to be done, but expressed excitement about the selected players. General Manager Monica Wright Rogers highlighted the importance of free agency, anticipating that significant players will join the team through this route.

Building a Team Identity

Wright Rogers stated the expansion draft results are intended to send a clear message about the type of team the Tempo aims to build, emphasizing a strong identity from the outset. The team is actively identifying and recruiting key free agents to complement the existing roster and enhance competitiveness.