Grading the Fire’s WNBA expansion draft picks

The Portland Fire entered the 2026 WNBA expansion draft with a challenge every new franchise faces: Build a roster from scratch while still establishing a clear identity. Expansion drafts rarely produce instant contenders, so the real goal is to find players who can contribute immediately while also leaving room for long-term growth.

Portland’s selections reflected a strategic approach, resulting in a roster that may not dominate right away but has plenty of the structural pieces needed to evolve into something cohesive and competitive. Let’s evaluate each selection based on talent, fit, and long-term value.

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo have selected their rosters in the WNBA expansion draft pic.twitter.com/0v80URwr1b

— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) April 3, 2026

Bridget Carleton — Grade: A

The Fire choosing Bridget Carleton with their first pick shows Portland’s preference for reliability over flash. She is a polished forward who understands spacing, moves well without the ball, and contributes defensively across multiple matchups. Her 3-point shooting ability makes her particularly valuable in a league that increasingly prioritizes floor spacing.

Expansion teams often struggle when they rely too heavily on one player to carry the offense, so Carleton’s ability to complement others makes her a stabilizing presence. This was a sensible choice, setting a professional tone for the roster.

Carla Leite — Grade: A-

Carla Leite represents one of the more exciting upside bets in this expansion draft. Young, dynamic, and creative, she has the tools to grow into a lead guard role. Her international experience suggests she can adapt, but the transition to a new squad is rarely seamless.

Portland’s willingness to invest in her development is a strong strategic signal. Rather than filling the roster entirely with more established vets, the Fire targeted a player who could significantly outperform her draft position over time. If Leite adjusts well, this pick could become a cornerstone decision.

Luisa Geiselsöder — Grade: B

Luisa Geiselsöder adds size and skill to the frontcourt, particularly with her ability to stretch the floor. Players who can shoot from the perimeter while holding their own inside the paint are increasingly valuable, and she fits that mold.

That said, Geiselsöder’s defensive physicality against top-tier WNBA foes remains a question. She may initially struggle against more dominant interior players, but her versatility gives Portland lineup flexibility, and she projects as a useful rotational big with room to grow.

Emily Engstler — Grade: B-

Emily Engstler brings energy and defensive intensity, which are two qualities that can translate immediately regardless of the team’s system. She rebounds aggressively and can guard multiple positions, which makes her a natural fit for a team still experimenting with lineups.

Engstler’s limited playing time on previous teams is the primary drawback. She is not a consistent scoring threat despite having the potential to be, which could end up restricting her minutes in Portland too. Still, players with her motor and instincts tend to carve out meaningful roles, making this a solid culture-building pick.

Maya Caldwell — Grade: B

Maya Caldwell is a classic glue player. She does a little bit of everything without demanding attention, which can be valuable on a roster still finding its hierarchy. Her defense and spot-up shooting give her a clear pathway to minutes.

However, Caldwell lacks a standout skill that would elevate her beyond a supporting role. For Portland, that’s not necessarily a problem since depth really matters for expansion teams, but it does call her ceiling into question. This pick is more about roster stability for right now, but Caldwell has potential long-term upside.

Chloe Bibby — Grade: B+

Chloe Bibby adds another offensive option to the Fire’s roster, particularly as a forward who can reliably shoot from beyond the arc. Her shooting opens up space for guards to work with and creates lineup flexibility, which is crucial for a new team experimenting with combinations.

Defensively, Bibby may face challenges against quicker or more physical opponents, but her ability to contribute points efficiently makes her a valuable rotation piece. This is a well-balanced selection that strengthens Portland’s offensive capabilities.

Haley Jones — Grade: A-

Haley Jones stands out as one of the most intriguing selections of the expansion draft. A highly intelligent player with strong playmaking instincts, she can impact the game in multiple ways.

Jones’ inconsistency on the defensive end can be a concern, but in a system that allows her to handle the ball and create, she could flourish. Portland is betting on her offensive potential translating into a larger role, and if that happens, this pick could become one of the defining moves of the draft.

Nyadiew Puoch — Grade: C

Nyadiew Puoch is a long-term project, but her size and defensive prowess add significant upside to this pick. Her athleticism and length are immediately noticeable in the paint, but her game is still a question mark since she never made her WNBA debut.

If she reaches her potential, Puoch could become a dynamic two-way player. If not, the gamble — while it may make sense for an expansion team — will end up wasting a crucial roster spot. This selection demonstrates Portland’s patience and a willingness to invest in the future, but the franchise has sacrificed the certainty that comes with choosing a player that has proven experience in the W.

Sarah Ashlee Barker — Grade: C

Sarah Ashlee Barker adds another layer of competitiveness to Portland’s perimeter group. Known for her toughness and grind, she fits the mold of a player who can contribute across multiple areas. However, there’s a limited sample size to examine since she didn’t see consistent minutes with the LA Sparks as a rookie and played inefficiently when she did.

Barker shows flashes of shot creation and long-range scoring, and her physicality and effort stand out, but her consistency will determine how large her role becomes with the Fire. This pick reflects Portland’s continued focus on players who can grow within a system.

Sug Sutton — Grade: B-

Sug Sutton provides experience, leadership, and depth at the guard position, which the Fire desperately need. She has shown the ability to contribute as a scorer and facilitator in limited roles in the past, making her a useful option off the bench.

While she may not be a long-term solution as a starter, her presence helps stabilize the roster. Expansion teams often need players who can step in without disrupting chemistry, and Sutton fits that role well.

Nika Mühl — Grade: C+

When healthy, Nika Mühl brings elite passing ability and defensive toughness. She excels at controlling tempo and creating opportunities for teammates, which is especially valuable on a team still developing offensive cohesion.

The issue with this pick comes down to Mühl’s injury history. She missed the entire 2025 season and is already set to miss 2026 due to surgery on a torn ACL, so there’s no telling when she’ll hit the floor for the Fire or what she’ll look like once she does return to the game. However, her playmaking alone makes her a valuable asset, and she has the potential to elevate the entire offense.

The Fire’s 2026 expansion draft strategy reflects a clear understanding of what it takes to build from the ground up. The franchise focused on assembling a roster with complementary skills, positional flexibility, and room for growth. This approach may not bring immediate success in the standings, but it creates a sustainable foundation to keep building on top of in the future.

Ultimately, the Fire appear to be playing the long game. With the right additions through Monday’s WNBA Draft, free agency, and proper player development, this group could evolve into a cohesive and competitive team. For now, the Portland Fire’s expansion draft reflects both their thoughtful construction and the uncertainty that comes with growing something entirely new.

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