Fire make Carleton top WNBA expansion draft pick

The Portland Fire used the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA expansion draft on Friday to select Bridget Carleton.

Carleton was one of the top names available in the draft and had been with the Minnesota Lynx. The Fire entered the draft with the first selection after winning the March 27 coin toss.

The WNBA held the expansion draft as part of the league’s 2026 expansion process for Portland and Toronto. Official league materials had already set the draft for Friday, April 3.

Portland’s selection of Carleton gives the expansion team an immediate veteran presence as it builds its first roster. Additional picks and roster moves from the Fire were expected to follow as the draft continued.

The pick was first reported by local coverage and then confirmed by additional outlets, including ESPN.