Predicting Five Protected Players in WNBA Expansion Draft
The WNBA is preparing for an expansion draft as it welcomes two new teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Set to occur in the upcoming offseason, the draft will feature unique rules contrasting with last year’s draft. This expansion draft is particularly notable as it coincides with ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that may significantly impact salary structures and player protections.
Expansion Draft Overview
The 2026 expansion draft rules will allow each existing team to protect only five players, down from six in 2025. Teams must make strategic decisions about which players to protect. The Fire and Tempo will have the ability to select from a broader pool, including players whose rights are held but who didn’t participate in the preceding WNBA season, as well as one unrestricted free agent for potential core designation.
Projected Protected Players
- Atlanta Dream
- Maya Caldwell (RS)
- Allisha Gray (U)
- Naz Hillmon (R)
- Rhyne Howard (R)
- Te-Hina Paopao
- Chicago Sky
- Ariel Atkins (U)
- Kamilla Cardoso
- Angel Reese
- Ajsa Sivka (DP)
- Hailey Van Lith
- Connecticut Sun
- Aaliyah Edwards
- Leila Lacan
- Marina Mabrey (U)
- Aneesah Morrow
- Saniya Rivers
- Dallas Wings
- Paige Bueckers
- Luisa Geiselsoder (RS)
- Awak Kuier (S)
- Arike Ogunbowale (U)
- Maddy Siegrist
- Golden State Valkyries
- Veronica Burton (R)
- Juste Jocyte (DP)
- Iliana Rupert (RS)
- Janelle Salaun (RS)
- Kayla Thornton (U)
- Indiana Fever
- Aliyah Boston
- Caitlin Clark
- Lexie Hull (R)
- Kelsey Mitchell (U)
- Makayla Timpson
- Las Vegas Aces
- Chelsea Gray (U)
- Aaliyah Nye
- NaLyssa Smith (R)
- A’ja Wilson (U)
- Jackie Young (U)
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Julie Allemand (R)
- Cameron Brink
- Dearica Hamby (U)
- Rickea Jackson
- Kelsey Plum (U)
- Minnesota Lynx
- Napheesa Collier (U)
- Dorka Juhasz
- Kayla McBride (U)
- Alanna Smith (U)
- Courtney Williams (U)
- New York Liberty
- Natasha Cloud (U)
- Leonie Fiebich
- Sabrina Ionescu (U)
- Marine Johannes (RS)
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (S)
- Phoenix Mercury
- Jordan Horston
- Ezi Magbegor (U)
- Dominique Malonga
- Nika Muhl
- Gabby Williams (U)
- Seattle Storm
- Georgia Amoore
- Shakira Austin (R)
- Sonia Citron
- Kiki Iriafen
- Jacy Sheldon
- Washington Mystics
- Natasha Cloud (U)
- Leonie Fiebich
- Sabrina Ionescu (U)
- Marine Johannes (RS)
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (S)
Conclusion
As the WNBA approaches the expansion draft, teams face critical choices regarding player protections. With new rules and a changing salary landscape, the decisions made will profoundly shape the future of the league. Keeping an eye on the developments in the CBA negotiations will be essential for both existing franchises and new expansion teams.
