WNBA expansion draft
Definition
A special draft event in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) where an expansion franchise selects players from a pool of unprotected athletes from existing teams, allowing the league to stock its newest squad without starting from zero.
The process by which WNBA teams protect a limited number of players (typically 11), leaving others eligible for selection by the incoming expansion team, often sparking roster shake-ups and fan drama.
Examples
The WNBA expansion draft felt like a high-stakes game of hot potato, with teams desperately protecting their stars while tossing bench players into the mix.
After the WNBA expansion draft, my favorite team's roster looked like it had been rearranged by a drunk intern with a clipboard.
Fans treated the WNBA expansion draft like a reality TV elimination round, complete with tears, trades, and unexpected plot twists.
The WNBA expansion draft turned rival GMs into reluctant Santa Clauses, gifting talent to the new kid on the block.