The Toronto Tempo obviously didn’t want to go through a slow building process when they entered the WNBA. Instead, they followed a Valkyries-like approach, taking veteran players over young talent in the expansion draft and banking on international talent like Maria Conde and Laura Juskaite. They also signed Brittney Sykes in free agency, trusting her and Marina Mabrey to be the stars on a playoff contender.
After various injuries, including one that has kept Brittney Sykes out since mid-June, the Tempo are far, far away from making the playoffs in their first season. They are on a ten-game losing streak and nine games behind the final playoff spot.
However, missing the playoffs isn’t as bad as it sounds. Toronto could be back on track quickly next year.
The Tempo built a good foundation
Sandy Brondello is an established championship coach most players enjoy playing for. Moreover, Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey, and Julie Allemand are still under contract through the 2027 season, Kiki Rice and Aneesah Morrow are on their rookie deals, and the Tempo will get a good pick in what promises to be a good 2027 draft. That’s a team free agents will consider playing for.
With that foundation in place, a few good free agent signings, some lottery luck, and a healthier season from Sykes is all Toronto needs to get into the playoff picture.
This year’s free agency period was difficult for players, coaches, and GMs alike. Important decisions had to be made in a very short period of time. A more traditional free agency period should allow the Tempo to pitch to players who fit exactly what they need, improve their frontcourt rotation, and maybe even attract another star to put next to Mabrey and Sykes.
This is the timeline for most expansion teams
The Valkyries’ playoff appearance last year was exceptional. There’s a reason that no expansion team ever made the playoffs in its first season before Golden State. Joining the league and mainly building a roster with players other teams didn’t deem important enough to protect and previously overlooked talent doesn’t usually make for the most competitive team.
Moreover, the best way to build a contender in the W has been through the draft. So, many expansion teams chose to be bad for a few seasons to draft a franchise star.
If the Tempo make the playoffs next season or the year after, it perfectly matches the timeline of past expansion teams. The Atlanta Dream, Miami Sol, Orlando Miracle, and Detroit Shock all made the playoffs in their second season, but they didn’t advance past the first round. The Washington Mystics, Seattle Storm, and Indiana Fever punched their first ticket to the playoffs three seasons into their existence.
Only the Minnesota Lynx, Chicago Sky, and Portland Fire took more than three seasons. Minnesota made its postseason debut in its fifth season, while the Sky needed eight seasons, and the Fire never made the playoffs between 2000 and 2002. They also won’t make it this year.
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