Toronto Tempo Get: Dominique Malonga
Seattle Storm Get: 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick
The lottery will impact decisions this offseason. The Tempo ended the year slotted at No. 1 in the draft, and the chance at Watkins would scuttle this concept. A trade wouldn’t happen until after the lottery; if Toronto gets the No. 2 selection, that may be enough compensation (along with 2028) to land one of the league’s best centers.
Malonga was a force, but the Storm finished the season with a league-worst eight wins. Projected to draft No. 4, Seattle could land one of Booker, Hidalgo, Nichols, and Williams, and possibly Zhang Ziyu, the 7’4″ Chinese center, to replace Malonga.
For Toronto, the top of the draft is guard- and wing-heavy, but the franchise needs real size to partner with Marina Mabrey, Kiki Rice and Brittney Sykes. While the Tempo aren’t in a rush as an expansion team, they already have enough talent to push for a stronger 2028 campaign.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus.