This is going to be a wacky WNBA expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.

Every existing team can only protect five players, but so much of the league is headed for free agency this offseason that the decisions become much more complicated.

There will be real value in the expansion draft for players who remain under contract heading into the new season. There are means by which the Tempo and Fire can draft those pending free agents, too, but there are fewer guarantees of a sure future together.

And that’s where Hailey Van Lith comes into play.

HVL is the former star guard from Louisville, LSU and TCU in the college ranks. She was the No. 11 overall pick by the Chicago Sky before last season.

Right now, Van Lith is likely on the border of being in the five protected players for the Sky. She admittedly didn’t show a ton of production in her rookie season, but her minutes were quite limited, which isn’t easy for a player so used to being a star.

The Tempo and Fire need to watch Van Lith’s status. If she isn’t protected, she could be a solid pick.

Rarely does a first-round pick become available so quickly, but that could happen here with Van Lith. Another talented college guard entering her second year, Jacy Sheldon, could also remain unprotected by the Washington Mystics.

There is certainly reason to draft more experienced players in the expansion draft, too, in order to try and put a solid product on the floor in year one.

The reality, though, is that expansion teams usually are longer builds. Drafting youth still under contract may be the better long-term strategy.

That makes the likes of Van Lith, and Sheldon, particularly fascinating for the Tempo and Fire. It’ll all depend on whether their teams protect them or not, decisions which should be known soon enough.

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