Rachel: Ten players out. One game left in the season. And now, the hardest job in sports begins. Do you keep the veterans who fought through the injuries, or do you clear cap space for a total rebuild? The Toronto Tempo’s future is hanging by a thread, and we are tearing it open today.
Dave: It’s not just about who plays; it’s about who stays. We’re looking at depth charts that have been decimated all year, and now the front office has to decide what this team actually looks like when they return to the court next season.
Rachel: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Rachel, and this is your daily deep dive into the WNBA. Joining me is our lead analyst, Dave. Dave, last week we talked about Kiki Rice carrying the load against healthy teams. Today, we’re talking about the roster itself.
Dave: Exactly. Last night, we broke down how the lack of rotation hurt them against Connecticut. Today, we’re doing a full roster battle audit. We’ve got three segments: the starting lineup battles, the bench depth crisis, and finally, who gets cut before training camp opens.
Rachel: Here is what we are covering. First, we’ll look at the most critical position battle on the tempo right now. Second, we’ll dig into two more depth-chart questions that could define their offseason. And third, we’re making roster-cut predictions—who’s trending up, and who is likely headed to the waiver wire?
Dave: And remember, everything we discuss is grounded in the reality of an 11-33 record. This isn’t about playoff hopes; it’s about building something sustainable for 2027. Let’s get to work.
Rachel: Let’s start with the big one. The starting lineup. After that final loss to the Sun, where Hailey Van Lith had nine rebounds and eight assists, and Ashlon Jackson dropped eighteen points, the gap in talent was obvious. But inside, Isabelle Harrison pulled down ten rebounds for Toronto. Is she the answer at center?
Dave: She’s the only answer they really have right now. With Brittney Griner, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Temi Fagbenle, and Maria Gakdeng all out for the season, Harrison stepped up. She’s a veteran presence. But here’s the tactical issue: can she guard faster, bigger centers in the playoffs? Against Connecticut, she held her own on the glass, but rim protection is still a question mark.
Rachel: Right, because if you’re switching onto pick-and-rolls, you need length. Harrison is tough, but she’s not a shot-blocker in the traditional sense. So, who is battling her for minutes? Or is there even a battle anymore given the injury list?
Dave: Honestly, the battle is over because the competition is gone. The real question is whether they bring her back or look for a different profile. If they keep Harrison, they need someone else to provide spacing. If they move on, they might look for a stretch-five. But given the 11-33 record, stability matters. I think she stays.
Rachel: I agree. Stability is key when you’re rebuilding. Now, let’s talk about the backcourt. Julie Allemand had five assists in that final game. She’s been the primary ball-handler. But with Marina Mabrey also out, who is running the offense?
Dave: Allemand has been the engine. When you look at the assist numbers, she’s taking on the burden of creating shots for others while dealing with defensive pressure herself. The issue is efficiency. Can she maintain that playmaking volume against elite defensive teams? That’s the test for next season.
Rachel: And what about scoring? Kiki Rice had 28 points in that finale. She’s clearly the go-to scorer. But does the offense revolve entirely around her isolation sets, or can Allemand create opportunities off the dribble?
Dave: Ideally, it’s a partnership. Rice needs help getting buckets so she doesn’t foul out or get tired. Allemand’s ability to find open shooters is crucial. If the Tempo wants to improve, they need better spacing around Rice. Right now, the defense collapses on Rice, and Allemand has to make the extra pass to find the open man.
Rachel: So, the battle here isn’t just about who starts—it’s about role definition. Allemand as the facilitator, Rice as the scorer. It’s a proven model, but it requires complementary pieces. Do we have those pieces on the current roster?
Dave: We have the potential. But we also have a lot of holes. That’s why the depth chart is so critical. Let’s move to Segment Two, where we look at the wings and the backup guard spots.
Rachel: Segment Two: Depth Chart Questions. We know Rayah Marshall, Kamila Borkowska, Kennedy Burke, and Maria Conde were all out. That’s four players missing from the rotation. Who steps up in those spots?
Dave: That’s a massive void. Marshall brings athleticism and defense. Without her, the Tempo struggles to switch defensively. The team has to rely on younger players or veterans who aren’t used to starting. It exposes a lack of versatility.
Rachel: And Saniya Rivers was out too. She’s a guard. So we’re short on guards and wings. How does that impact the offensive flow? Does it force Rice to take more difficult shots?
Dave: Absolutely. When you lose your secondary creators, the offense becomes predictable. Defenses can sag off the non-shooters and double-team Rice. That’s why individual player development is so important this offseason. They need young guys to step up and learn how to create.
Rachel: Let’s talk about specific names. Who on the current roster shows promise in these empty spots? Are there any surprises from the final stretch?
Dave: It’s hard to say without seeing live minutes, but generally, veterans like Allemand and Harrison have shown resilience. The unknowns are the younger players who got garbage time minutes. Their performance in practice and late-game situations will determine if they earn a spot.
Rachel: So, it’s a mix of relying on the core and hoping for breakout performances from the fringe players. What about the coaching staff? How do they manage this limited rotation?
Dave: They have to simplify the playbook. You don’t run complex sets when you’re short-handed. You focus on high-percentage shots and transition offense. It’s about maximizing the strengths of Rice and Allemand while minimizing the weaknesses of the rest of the team.
Rachel: That makes sense. Simpler, more efficient basketball. But does that translate to wins against top-tier teams? Probably not yet. Which brings us to the biggest question: who stays, and who goes?
Dave: Exactly. The window for contention isn’t open yet. So the decisions are about long-term value versus short-term comfort.
Rachel: Segment Three: Roster Cuts and Predictions. We’ve seen the headlines about the Sun moving to Houston and the Sky snapping their losing streak against Toronto. The league is changing. Where does Toronto fit in?
Dave: They need to be aggressive. If they want to reach 22 wins next season, as we predicted, they need to add talent. That means clearing out contracts that don’t fit the new direction. The ten-player injury list was a disaster, but it also revealed who the core really is.
Rachel: Who is definitely staying? And who is definitely going?
Dave: Kiki Rice, Julie Allemand, and Isabelle Harrison are the core. They played through adversity. They showed character. They are the foundation. Everyone else is on thin ice.
Rachel: So, no surprise cuts there. But who are the likely casualties? Who is trending down?
Dave: Any player who didn’t prove they can contribute offensively or defensively in a meaningful way. With so many spots open due to injuries, the bar for retention is higher. If you couldn’t hold your own against a healthy Sun team, you might not survive the preseason.
Rachel: That’s harsh but fair. It’s about earning your spot. So, we’re looking at a leaner, meaner Tempo next year. A team built around three stars and solid role players.
Dave: Precisely. And if they execute the offseason correctly, they could be dangerous. But it starts with tough decisions now.
Rachel: Before we go, I want to ask you directly. We’ve spent years bringing you these deep dives, free of charge, because we love this game. But keeping the lights on costs money. If you’ve enjoyed our analysis of the Tempo’s roster battles, please consider supporting us. It helps us keep producing daily content for fans like you. Just click the link in the episode description.
Dave: Your support means the world. It allows us to stay independent and focused on what matters: the game. Thank you for listening.
Rachel: Thanks, Dave. To recap: Rice, Allemand, and Harrison are the core. The rest of the roster is up for grabs. Keep an eye on the offseason moves. For the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Rachel, and this is Dave. Go Tempo!