Portland Fire's Return to the WNBA: Building an Expansion Team

As the Portland Fire prepare for their return to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the 2026 season, coach Alex Sarama faces the daunting task of assembling a new team. Linda Hargrove, who served as the Fire's coach and general manager during their original tenure from 2000 to 2002, reflects on the challenges of building an expansion team. Hargrove noted that expansion drafts often feature players who are not protected by their teams, typically bench players rather than stars. “You’re getting, basically, players that aren’t being protected,” Hargrove explained, emphasizing the difficulty in acquiring premier talent.

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The Fire's initial draft experience in 2000 saw them select Lynn Pride with the seventh overall pick, a position they will hold again in 2026. Hargrove highlighted that it was not until the following year, with the fourth pick, that the team secured Jackie Stiles, who would become a standout player and Rookie of the Year. To effectively build a competitive roster, Hargrove advised focusing on free agency, where the Fire successfully recruited key players like Sylvia Crawley, Michelle Marciniak, and Tully Bevilaqua.

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The original Portland Fire franchise, which operated for three seasons, demonstrated a strong community connection and fan support. Hargrove expressed surprise at the prolonged absence of a WNBA team in Portland, stating, “Portland showed for three years that they were a great partner in the league.” The Fire's legacy includes Crawley, who holds the franchise's career records in points, rebounds, and blocks. Notably, it was Crawley who informed Hargrove about the team's revival and its new name, reigniting excitement for the franchise.

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Linda Hargrove conveyed her enthusiasm for the Fire's return, stating, “I was happy about it. I’m sure there were a lot of people that were really happy about it.” She reminisced about her time with the Fire, calling it “one of the best three-year experiences that I’ve had.” Hargrove's post-Fire career included roles with the Washington Mystics and later as a coach at Wichita State, where she continues to influence the sport through ProHoops Sports & Events.

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While Hargrove's insights reflect optimism for the Fire's return, the challenges of building a competitive team from scratch remain significant. Critics may argue that the reliance on free agency and the limitations of the expansion draft could hinder the team's ability to compete effectively in the league.

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As the Fire gear up for the 2026 season, the focus will be on assembling a competitive roster capable of engaging the Portland community once again. The upcoming expansion draft and free agency will be critical in shaping the team's future and rekindling the legacy of the original franchise.

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