** WNBA Expansion Draft: Fire and Tempo Set for Player Picks

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The anticipation is building as the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo prepare to select their inaugural rosters during the WNBA Expansion Draft scheduled for Friday at 3:30 PM ET. This draft marks a significant milestone for both franchises as they aim to carve out their identities in the league, which welcomes them this season.

In a twist of fate, the Tempo recently won a coin toss, granting them the coveted sixth overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. As a result, the Fire will kick off the expansion draft with the first pick. Each team will be allowed to select players in a two-round format, with the opportunity for up to 12 selections per round—six for each team. Notably, the draft will follow a snake format, alternating picks between the teams in each round.

The breakdown of selections for each team is as follows:
– **Portland Fire:** 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24
– **Toronto Tempo:** 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23

In preparation for the expansion draft, all current WNBA teams were required to submit a list of protected players, allowing a maximum of five athletes to be shielded from selection. This strategy is crucial as it protects key contributors from being poached by the new franchises. The full lists of protected players have not been released to the public, but it was reported by CBS Sports that all unprotected players will be available for selection during the draft.

Each existing team can only lose up to two players—one per round—ensuring that they maintain a level of depth and competitiveness. This unique structure aims to balance the league while giving the Fire and Tempo a fair shot at building competitive rosters right from the start.

As the clock ticks down to the draft, speculation is rife regarding which players will find themselves wearing the colors of the Fire and Tempo. Analysts are particularly keen on how each franchise will prioritize talent acquisition—whether they opt for established veterans or potentially lucrative young stars.

In building their squads, both franchises will need to strike a delicate balance between immediate impact players and future prospects, creating a foundation that will support their growth in the league. The decisions made during the expansion draft will undoubtedly set the tone for their inaugural seasons and could dictate their trajectories in the coming years.

With the stage set for the expansion draft, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these new teams shape their futures. The selections made on Friday could very well mark the beginning of a new era in the WNBA.

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