Rachel: Ten players out. A franchise-altering loss in Connecticut. And now, the clock is ticking on the offseason.
Dave: It’s a blank slate for Toronto. But who actually stays? We’re breaking down every position battle right now.
Rachel: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, your daily home for WNBA coverage. I’m Rachel, and this is the Toronto Tempo Daily Show.
Dave: And I’m Dave. We are back with a fresh look at the roster, starting today with the battles that will define next season.
Rachel: Here is what we are tackling today: first, the immediate crunch at center where Isabelle Harrison might be facing real competition. Second, the guard rotation questions after that injury-plagued finale against Connecticut. And third, our hard predictions on who gets cut and who trends up.
Dave: We covered the core trio retention strategy last week—Rice, Allemand, Harrison—but today we go deeper into the depth chart. The injuries from September made it impossible to see true depth, so now we have to look at the tape and the roster list.
Rachel: Before we dive into Segment One, a quick note. If you love having this show available every single day, free for you, it’s because of supporters like you. It takes a team behind the scenes to keep this running daily, and a handful of you make that possible. If you can chip in to help keep the lights on, please check the link in the episode description. Thank you.
Rachel: Let’s jump straight into the biggest positional battle. Center. Isabelle Harrison had a massive game in that final loss to the Sun. Ten rebounds, she was the anchor when everyone else was sidelined.
Dave: She was essential. With ten players out, including Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Temi Fagbenle, Harrison carried the load. But the question is, does she keep that job outright? Or does someone challenge her?
Rachel: That’s the battle. In the last game, she grabbed those ten boards while the rest of the bench struggled to find rhythm. But looking at the full roster needs, do they need more mobility?
Dave: I think Harrison is safe as the starter. Her rebounding number against a team like Connecticut, who won 95-81, shows she can compete physically. But the battle is for the backup spot. Without Nelson-Ododa healthy, they need size.
Rachel: Right. And remember, the Sun moved to Houston after that game, but their presence showed how physical this league can be. Harrison held her own.
Dave: Exactly. She didn’t get blown out of the paint. But if they want to improve spacing, they might look elsewhere. Still, for pure interior presence, Harrison is the name on the card.
Rachel: So, Harrison starts. The battle is really about who joins her. That leads us to the guard rotation. Julie Allemand had five assists in that final game, but the scoring came from Kiki Rice with 28 points.
Dave: Rice was a bright spot. 28 points is huge. But Allemand’s playmaking was there too. Five assists is solid, especially when the offense was clogged by injuries across the board.
Rachel: But what about the other guards? We know Rayah Marshall was out. Kennedy Burke was out. Saniya Rivers was out. The backcourt was decimated.
Dave: It was a disaster. You had almost no healthy bodies. So the battle isn’t just about who plays, it’s about who survives the cuts. Allemand is locked in as part of the core. Rice is locked in.
Rachel: Agreed. We talked about retaining them both last week. So the real question is the third or fourth guard spot.
Dave: That’s going to be tough. With so many injuries, it’s hard to judge performance. But whoever gets minutes needs to provide defensive intensity.
Rachel: Defensive intensity is key. When you’re down ten players, you can’t afford lazy rotations. Allemand and Rice handled the bulk of the work, but they can’t carry everyone.
Dave: They shouldn’t have to. That’s why depth matters. But right now, the depth chart is thin. The battle is for survival.
Rachel: Let’s pivot to the forward spots. Kamila Borkowska and Maria Gakdeng were listed out. That’s another hole.
Dave: Those are significant losses. Borkowska provides versatility. Gakdeng adds length. Losing them means more minutes for whoever is left.
Rachel: It feels like the front office has to make some aggressive moves in the offseason to fill these gaps.
Dave: Absolutely. You can’t build a contender on injuries. They need to find players who can step in immediately.
Rachel: Sticking with us...
Rachel: Welcome back. We’re talking roster battles. Let’s talk about two more specific matchups. First, the veteran leadership question. Brittney Griner was out. Marina Mabrey was out.
Dave: Griner’s absence was felt. Even on an off night, her rim protection changes everything. Without her, the defense looked exposed.
Rachel: Mabrey too. She brings shooting and experience. Their absence contributed to that 95-81 loss. Ashlon Jackson scored 18 for Connecticut, Hailey Van Lith had eight assists and nine rebounds.
Dave: Van Lith is a beast. Nine rebounds for a guard is impressive. She controlled the glass. Toronto didn’t have that kind of versatility without Mabrey and Griner.
Rachel: So, is the battle for the remaining forwards about finding someone who can rebound like Van Lith?
Dave: Partly. But also about spacing. Van Lith could shoot and pass. Toronto needs that dual threat. Harrison is great inside, but she’s not creating for others.
Rachel: Right. So the second battle is point guard depth. Allemand is the primary ball-handler, but who runs the second unit?
Dave: That’s the mystery. With Marshall and Burke out, the options were limited. Someone needs to be able to push the pace.
Rachel: The Tempo played slow last year, 11-31 record. They need to speed up.
Dave: Speed and transition. That’s where games are won. Chicago beat them 97-85 earlier in the season, and they snapped a losing streak. Toronto needs to avoid those slumps.
Rachel: Chicago’s Jaquez and Taylor scored 18 each. Cardoso added 17. Toronto couldn’t match that firepower consistently.
Dave: Consistency is the issue. Rice had 28 in one game, but others struggled. The roster battle is finding players who can contribute every night.
Rachel: Maria Conde was also out. Another piece missing. It’s a puzzle.
Dave: It is. And solving it requires smart decisions in the offseason.
Rachel: Who’s trending up? Who’s trending down? Let’s get into our predictions.
Dave: Harrison is trending up. She proved she can handle the pressure.
Rachel: Rice is definitely trending up. 28 points is a statement.
Dave: Allemand is steady. No drama there. She’s a lock.
Rachel: But the backups? They’re trending down because of the injuries.
Dave: True. It’s hard to evaluate them. But the ones who stay healthy will have a chance.
Rachel: We’ll see who rises to the occasion.
Dave: Stick around...
Rachel: We are back. This is Segment Three: Roster-cut predictions and who’s trending up or down. Let’s start with the cuts. Who is most likely to leave?
Dave: This is tricky. With so many injuries, it’s hard to say. But generally, teams cut depth players who don’t offer a clear upside.
Rachel: We predicted 22 wins next season if health improves. That requires a leaner, faster roster.
Dave: Agreed. They need to shed salary and add youth. Players like Borkowska or Gakdeng might be on the block if they don’t fit the new system.
Rachel: Or maybe they get traded. The Suns moved to Houston, maybe there’s trade activity.
Dave: Possible. But for now, let’s focus on the cuts. I think some of the role players will be released.
Rachel: Who is trending up? We said Rice and Harrison. What about Allemand?
Dave: Allemand is trending up. Her playmaking is crucial. Five assists in a loss shows her value.
Rachel: What about the younger players? Who impressed?
Dave: Hard to say with the injuries. But anyone who stayed healthy and contributed should be rewarded.
Rachel: Let’s predict three players who stay. Rice, Allemand, Harrison. Core trio.
Dave: Solid prediction. Those three are the foundation.
Rachel: And two players who go? Maybe Griner and Mabrey, depending on contract situations.
Dave: That’s a bold take. But if they want to rebuild, moving veterans makes sense.
Rachel: We’ll see. The offseason will tell.
Dave: One thing is sure. Toronto needs to get healthy.
Rachel: Health is wealth. Let’s wrap up.
Rachel: To recap: Harrison holds the center spot, Rice and Allemand are the guard anchors, and the rest of the roster is up for grabs.
Dave: If they execute the cuts and retain the core, 22 wins is very achievable.
Rachel: Please subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. It helps more fans find us.
Dave: Keep supporting the Tempo. Go Blue!