Acquiring a player of Temi Fagbenle's calibre in free agency seemed like a real coup for the Toronto Tempo. The expansion franchise bagged a talented defensive anchor who can make a huge impact on the glass, but it came at a hefty price. When a front office hands out a one-year $1 million contract, they expect immediate results from a player, and Fagbenle has not hit the heights required. Toronto can't afford to waste salary cap space like this moving forward.
During her time at the Golden State Valkyries, Temi Fagbenle quickly established a reputation as one of the league's most impactful defensive presences. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase aims to construct her roster with defense as a number-one priority, and under her tutelage, Fagbenle thrived.
Alongside Veronica Burton, Fagbenle created a resilient partnership that was a major factor in Golden State reaching the playoffs in their first season as a franchise. The 33-year-old averaged a career-high 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 stocks per game, while shooting 50.2% from the floor.
This level of production might not have been groundbreaking on paper, but her contribution on the floor was a critical part of what made the Valkyries so dangerous. However, the million-dollar question is: was Temi's level of performance worth such a lucrative contract?
Fagbenle has not reached the same wonderful heights in Toronto
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and when the Toronto Tempo announced they had secured Temi Fagbenle's signature, it was hard not to consider it an impressive signing. Yet injuries and a lack of playing momentum have led to this signing being an expensive mistake.
To call Fagbenle's time in Toronto a failure would be too harsh. The physical center has struggled with a right shoulder injury throughout the season. Her inability to stay healthy has limited any chance of finding the defensive rhythm that made her so important to Golden State.
During the 2026 WNBA season, Fagbenle has featured in just 15 games for the Tempo -- four of which she has been in the starting lineup. The USC alum has recorded 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 stocks per game, while averaging 15.7 minutes on the floor.
After acquiring devastating offensive talents like Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes in the offseason, it made sense for Toronto to snap up a proven defensive anchor in Temi Fagbenle -- even at the cost of a one-year, $1 million contract. However, when a franchise pays that kind of money for a player, they must make a significant impact, something Fagbenle has failed to do.
Fortunately for the Toronto Tempo, this is not a long-term contract, and they can pivot in another direction during their second season as a franchise. If they want to show Canadian fans an exciting vision for success, they can't afford to hand out another bad contract.
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