5 Players the Toronto Tempo could realistically sign for 2026

The Toronto Tempo will head into free agency next year with a ton of options to build their inaugural roster.

The Toronto Tempo are preparing to head into their first WNBA free agency at the end of 2025 and heading into 2026. It’s an intriguing year for two WNBA expansion franchises to be coming into the league — nearly ²⁄₃ of the WNBA will be Unrestricted Free Agents after this current season is over. This is because of the timing of the WNBPA (Players’ Union) and the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expiring, and players wanting to be able to sign new contracts with the new CBA in mind. It’s also a bargaining tactic — players can say they just won’t sign if their needs aren’t met. With the boom of women’s basketball and a ton of money on the table, it would be terrible if the league had to delay their 2026 season.

Outside of all of that, the Toronto Tempo and the Unnamed Portland WNBA team will be in the mix in free agency. Similar to this past year, when the Golden State Valkyries prepared to enter the league, there will likely be an expansion draft ahead of free agency for the two new teams. With so many free agents, Toronto and Portland may not dip into the expansion draft as much, but it’s there for them to get an idea of the market.

From there, they will head into free agency in hopes of attracting some talent, and Toronto has the benefit of being the league’s first international team to help persuade players to come. Expect a lot of visits to show off Toronto’s allure as a home base, as many players like the idea of living in a vibrant, diverse city.

The Tempo are already making moves, announcing the hire of their General Manager, Monica Wright Rogers, earlier this year. Wright Rogers has experience with the Phoenix Mercury as their Assistant General Manager, and quite honestly, is just a pure hoops fan. Her experience of the game as a player, WNBA champion, and front office executive, paired with an absolute love of the game, makes her a great leader for this team. Players will want to come play for her here in Toronto.

This week, the Tempo also announced the hire of their Assistant General Manager and Senior Vice President of Basketball Strategy, Eli Horowitz. Horowitz served as Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Scouting and Analytics for the Los Angeles Sparks for seven years before this hire. Wright Rogers and Horowitz will be tasked with building this team amid a CBA negotiation, expansion draft, unprecedented free agency period, and the rapid growth of the WNBA.

There are a lot of factors to think about when predicting who Toronto could sign: Cap space, of course, but also the reputation of expansion franchises not being title contenders off the jump could deter some more high-level or veteran talent. The taxes issue that NBA players seem to be hot on right now might not be as much of a factor, given that WNBA players would be in Toronto for less time during the year. Still, it will be interesting to see who has an interest in coming to the league’s first international team.

With all of that being said, here are 5 players the Toronto Tempo could realistically sign in 2026:

Jordan Horston (G) - Seattle Storm

Jordan Horston was drafted 9th overall to the Seattle Storm in the 2023 WNBA Draft, quickly becoming a solid role player for the team. Her contract is currently suspended this season as she recovers from an ACL reconstruction, but her timeline seems to match up with being able to play in 2026. If Horston is made available in the expansion draft, she is someone Toronto should absolutely look into.

At 6’2, Horston brings size and length as a guard, playing with solid physicality and an ability to get to the basket. In her rookie season, she got a ton of playing time given Seattle was in a rebuilding year, and was able to fast-track her development as a young player, earning herself an All-Rookie Team nod.

In 2024, Horston finished the WNBA season with a 94.4 defensive rating, in the 89th percentile league-wide. Her strength and size again help her as a defender, and with more minutes in Toronto, she has a high ceiling as a young player.

Laeticia Amihere (F) - Free Agent

It seems a little inevitable that Toronto will make at least one Canadian signing, and Laeticia Amihere would be perfect. The long forward attended Golden State Valkyries training camp this season, scoring 20 points for the team in a preseason game before being shockingly cut from the team. The Valkyries had a particular vision for their roster, and despite Amihere certainly being good enough to be on the team, apparently did not fit the vision.

She is talented enough to be on a WNBA roster, though, and the Tempo would not only gain a solid player but an instant fan favourite. Amihere grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, before heading to South Carolina to play for Dawn Staley in college. She is a National Champion and was drafted No. 8 overall in the 2023 WNBA draft. She comes with both overseas experience, having played in Australia and also Olympic experience with Canada’s National Team.

Amihere is a player who brings energy when she steps on the floor. She can rebound, finish at the basket, and draw fouls, often quietly approaching a double-double when given enough minutes to get into rhythm.

Karlie Samuelson (G) - Minnesota Lynx

Getting Karlie Samuelson up in Toronto would be a huge swing, but she would be an integral part of the team from the jump. After playing at Stanford, Samuelson jumped around the WNBA for years while also playing overseas, until she was finally signed to a guaranteed contract in 2024 with the Mystics. After one year in Washington, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, where she now serves as the team’s 6th woman.

Samuelson is a sharpshooter and brings a steadiness to her team thanks to her unique journey and plethora of experience. Toronto could bring her in as a leader to a likely younger team, giving her a big role on the roster. She is a free agent, and if Minnesota can’t afford to keep her along with their other stars under the new contract, Toronto could be an option to pay her well.

Rae Burrell (G) - Los Angeles Sparks

Another potential big swing as a prospect, Rae Burrell would fit into Toronto extremely well if she were available. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Burrell spent her rookie season on and off the Sparks roster, but earned her place for 2023. She is developing into a great player who would benefit from the bigger role Toronto could give her.

With more playing time, Burrell could boost the offence of the Tempo, showing promise as a three-point shooter and defender. She is expected to have a big season in 2025 after playing extremely well at Unrivaled during the offseason, but a knee injury has her sidelined until mid-June at least. It will be great to see how she looks near the end of the season and into the offseason, but on paper is a great target for the Tempo.

DiJonai Carrington (G) - Dallas Wings

You can’t tell me Carrington would not THRIVE in Toronto, just on a completely base non-basketball level. She gives city girlie 100%. Not only that, but she’s a great player and the 2024 Most Improved Award winner. A lockdown defender, Carrington’s ability to disrupt a team’s biggest perimeter threat is why she has earned a solid place in the league.

She finished 2024 with a 92.6 defensive rating, landing in the 93rd percentile league-wide. That earned her a starting role with Connecticut, and she is now adjusting to a new team in Dallas. Another player who would instantly become a huge part of Toronto’s system, the allure of Toronto Life, plus a leading role could bring a league favourite to the Tempo.