Can Portland and Toronto Surprise the League in Year One?

Layshia and Annie talk through WNBA teams that are in build mode. From finding the right mix of rookies and vets to handling expansion challenges, they look at how Portland, Toronto, Washington, Connecticut, and Seattle are figuring out who they are in the 2026 season. Plus, they get into coaching, team strategies, what success looks like, and why some teams have the potential to surprise sooner than expected. Plus — our take on the NCAA’s push to expand the tournament. No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/ 00:00 Intro 02:07 Teams in rebuilding phase 07:15 Defining success in the WNBA 09:53 Can Portland & Toronto make expansion magic? 12:24 Examining the rookie-veteran mix 15:13 Portland & Toronto offseason challenges  21:16 Veteran influence and team strategy 23:32 Will Connecticut’s game plan translate well on the court? 28:15 Evaluating Diamond Miller 32:18 Is Seattle built to stay ahead this year? 39:05 How will rebuilding teams find long term success? 42:30 NCAA considering tournament expansion Related links and articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7238671/2026/04/28/ncaa-basketball-tournament-76-teams-expansion/?source=user_shared_article by Ralph D. Russo Follow and listen to the audio podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-offseason-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/id1699815468 Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason [https://www.instagram.com/tanooffseason] -TikTok: @no_offseason [https://www.tiktok.com/@no_offseason] Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Produced by Taneka Burrell -Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/?guccounter=1 Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm7txmok7cpMB3YlgkwrT2E0 Shorts Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm72uhBjsd24rsh5teZtgUpS Thumbnail: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images / USA TODAY - Sport via Imagn Images © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / USA TODAY - Sport via Imagn Images Steph Chambers / Staff / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images