With a historic new CBA deal in place, the league’s offseason activities for the 2026 season are expected to begin soon, starting with the WNBA expansion draft for their newest teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
The expansion draft is expected to take place between April 1 and April 6. With over 100 free agents and a limit of five protected players, many teams could lose valuable players in the summer.
Here is a look at five players most likely to be poached in the upcoming WNBA expansion draft.
Top Candidates to be Poached in the WNBA Expansion Draft 2026
1) Arike Ogunbowale
Arike Ogunbowale remains a prime candidate to be poached in the WNBA expansion draft. The four-time All-Star’s production dipped in the 2025 season following Paige Bueckers’ arrival at the Dallas Wings. With the team set to build around Bueckers, Ogunbowale could be on her way out.
With three All-WNBA selections and a scoring title to her name, Ogunbowale would bring the type of veteran star presence that could benefit a new team. This is a move that could be beneficial for all parties, allowing Ogunbowale to get a fresh start and either expansion team to land on its feet.
2) Azura Stevens
Between Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Rickea Jackson, Julie Allemand and Cameron Brink, the Los Angeles Sparks will be hard-pressed to hold on to Azura Stevens in the WNBA expansion draft. Stevens is coming off a productive season, averaging 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
She finished second in the voting for the Most Improved Player award last season. Either Toronto or Portland could take a chance on Stevens, although she would likely have to be designated as a core player.
3) Jacy Sheldon
After protecting their young core of Georgia Amoore, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, the Washington Mystics will be left with just two protection spots in the expansion draft. So, Jacy Sheldon could end up on the unprotected list. If she is left unprotected, either expansion team could select her.
Sheldon, an efficient scorer who has also served as a playmaker in the past, would be a valuable addition to either expansion team.
4) Marine Johannes
Marine Johannes is unlikely to be protected by the New York Liberty during the draft. This means that a player-coach reunion for Johannes and Sandy Brondello could be on the books. She averages 7.4 points and 2.1 assists for her career, shooting 42.3%, including 37.7% from 3-point range.
Johannes can strengthen any offense with her shooting from beyond the arc and would be a strong pickup for either Toronto or Portland. But with Brondello being the Fire’s coach, she is more likely to end up there.
5) DiJonai Carrington
A year after being named to the All-Defensive First Team in 2024, DiJonai Carrington had a difficult season in 2025. She started with the Dallas Wings after being traded by the Connecticut Sun, but struggled to make an impact and was traded to the Minnesota Lynx mid-season.
But Carrington struggled with both teams and was limited to 31 games due to multiple injuries. This makes her unlikely to be retained by the Lynx. Carrington is one of the league’s premier defenders and can also act as a primary ball handler.
Her being selected to an expansion team could be a win-win for both sides, as Carrington can regain her form on a new team without expectations.
Read More: Top 5 WNBA Free Agents to Watch After Latest CBA Agreement
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