For the first time in almost 25 years, women’s basketball is back in Portland!
The Fire kickstarted their new chapter last weekend with the expansion draft, where they selected from a pool of unprotected players from across the entire league.
Where does the team go from here? Did the expansion draft give us any hints into the future direction of the team?
Here’s more on the biggest question surrounding the Portland Fire for this season and their future. And be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.
1. What will the development look like for Carla Leite?
Fire head coach Alex Sarama has always been a big advocate for player development being the basis for his coaching, which he outlines in his book Transforming Basketball. He’s as perfect as head coach as possible for a team aiming to develop players.
And Carla Leite seems like the perfect project for Sarama.
Carla Leite was eighth in the entire league in drives per 100 possessions in last season, and she was one of the most efficient drivers in the league at that volume. This explosive driving ability also made her one of the more dangerous foul drawers in the league last year. A 44.6 free throw rate is insane for a 21 year-old rookie.
She clearly has strong indicators of being a good offensive player in the future, and given that she’s also younger than almost every prospect in the 2026 WNBA draft class, the sky truly is the limit for her. In Portland, she should be able to have unlimited pick-and-roll reps to continue to improve as a jump shooter and decision maker while there’s no pressure to win.
If Portland believes in her talent, then it will reflect in her usage. Last year she was at 23.6 percent, I expect her usage this season to be at or above this number.
Do you see the upside with Leite? Should Portland prioritize developing her to her full potential? Is there another player that could benefit from the developmental strengths of Sarama?
2. Who will the Fire select with No. 7 pick in the draft?
As part of this new chapter, the team will be faced with selecting No. 7 overall in the draft, meaning one of the key franchise cornerstones will join the team on Monday.
ESPN’s latest mock draft has the Fire selecting Iyana Martin, which seems unlikely given that Leite is already there, but nonetheless, the possibilities are endless. Similarly, our Eric Nemchock projected a smaller guard, Ta’Niya Latson, to the Fire before the expansion draft.
A player like Flau’Jae Johnson or Gianna Kneepkens could be there for them at seventh. Given the team’s frontcourt depth, or lack thereof, a center would probably be a priority either in free agency or the draft. Madina Okot is a common name mocked in the late first round, and if Lauren Betts falls past the lottery, she could also be an option.
With whoever they draft, Portland should have the future in mind. They can target a prospect who could fit flawlessly with whatever archetype of superstar they choose to build around down the line. Alternatively, selecting a player who will allow them to commit to a clear playing style or identity would be awesome step in the right direction for a team looking to establish a culture.
Who would you love to see fall to Portland? Is there a prospect with untapped skills who could be maximized with a team that is prioritizing develop?
3. Will free agency give Portland a star to build around?
The expansion draft was always going to be a foundation, not the finished product, for the Fire.
A frantic free agency period opened Monday, and what’s typically a month-long process has been condensed into just one week, meaning the Fire have an incredibly narrow window to make a splash.
The bad news for Portland’s star-hunting ambitions is that the biggest names have already taken themselves off the board. The prevailing belief around the league is that most star players will opt to return to their 2025 teams given the compressed timeline and higher salaries now available under the new collective bargaining agreement. This reality doesn’t bode well for an expansion team trying to lure veterans away from established rosters.
This is where the front office’s vision will be truly tested. General manager Vanja Černivec and Sarama have made it clear they’re building something with culture and system at its core. The Valkyries are the only expansion team to make the playoffs in their first season, and they did it without a traditional superstar. Portland may be banking on a similar blueprint.
How aggressive the Fire are in free agency will tell us everything about whether they’re content to develop quietly, or if there’s a bigger swing coming sooner than expected.
Do you want to see Portland take a superstar swing? Or, even if less splashy, do you agree that a slower, steadier build is the best strategy? Are there any non-star free agents you’d like to see Portland target?
