Rachel: You are listening to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we don’t just cover the game—we live it. Welcome to today’s episode of the Toronto Tempo Show.
Dave: Hey everyone. It is November 2nd, and while the rest of the league is in full offseason mode, our inbox is absolutely blowing up. We have a massive mailbag for you today.
Rachel: That’s right. We’re diving into three big areas. First, what does this injury-plagued season mean for our standing and the upcoming draft lottery? Second, how do we protect the core trio of Rice, Allemand, and Harrison as we rebuild? And third, is JuJu Watkins really the only answer if we want to compete in the East?
Dave: It’s a lot to unpack. We went from a 95-81 loss to Connecticut Sun—their final game before moving to Houston—to a completely open offseason with ten players out on that last roster. Let’s get into your questions.
Rachel: Let’s start with Segment One: The Bigger Picture. We’ve got a question here from Marcus in Chicago. He asks, 'With the Sun moving to Houston and the Tempo finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference Division, are we actually relevant in the playoff conversation next year?' Great question, Marcus.
Dave: Well, Marcus, let’s look at the facts. We finished fourth in the Eastern Conference Division. That is a solid baseline, especially considering the sheer volume of injuries we dealt with. Ten players were listed as Out for our final game against the Sun. That’s not just bad luck; that’s a structural issue.
Rachel: Right. And Dave, you mentioned earlier that we’re aiming for 22 wins if health improves. But with the Sun gone, does that change the competitive landscape of the division significantly?
Dave: It definitely shifts things. The Sun moving to Houston removes a physical, defensive-minded team from the East. But don’t mistake that for an easy path. We still have to contend with teams that are healthy. Our projection of 22 to 24 wins relies entirely on two things: keeping our core healthy and executing aggressive roster cuts to build depth.
Rachel: And speaking of the draft, Sarah from Rochester wants to know about the lottery. She writes, 'The WNBA is broadcasting the 6-team draft lottery for 2027 on Nov. 15 on ESPN. With Houston, Toronto, Washington, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles participating, what are our odds?'
Dave: Okay, so six teams are in the hat. Houston, Toronto, Washington, Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. We know JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, and Hannah Hidalgo are the projected top three picks. If we land the number one pick, we get Watkins. That changes everything.
Rachel: But what if we don’t? What if we miss on the top pick and fall further down? Does that mean we stay in the middle of the pack forever?
Dave: Not necessarily. Even if we don’t get Watkins, landing a player like Booker or Hidalgo would give us the secondary star power we desperately need. Right now, Kiki Rice is carrying the offensive load. She had 28 points in that final game against Connecticut. That’s brilliance, but it’s unsustainable without help.
Rachel: Julie Allemand had five assists and Isabelle Harrison grabbed ten rebounds in that same game. So the core is there. But Rachel, I see another question coming in from '@RaptorsFan88' who says, 'If we don't get JuJu Watkins, should we trade for someone else?'
Dave: Trades in the WNBA are tricky because of the salary cap, but holding onto assets is key. If we don’t get Watkins, we need to be aggressive in free agency or consider trading lower-tier contracts for established talent. But honestly, the lottery is our best shot at a generational shift.
Rachel: Before we move on, I want to take a quick breath. This show is completely free for you, with no ads and no paywall. That’s because of listeners like you. If you love having daily, deep-dive analysis on the Tempo, please chip in to keep us going. Just head to the link in the episode description. Your support keeps this network alive and independent. Thanks for listening.
Rachel: Welcome back to Segment Two: Roster Battles. We’re talking depth. Emily in Dallas asks, 'With ten players out in the finale, who are the players we MUST retain to build around Rice, Allemand, and Harrison?'
Dave: Emily, this is critical. Isabelle Harrison was our rebounding anchor with ten boards against the Sun. In terms of spacing and rim protection, she’s vital. Julie Allemand ran the offense with five assists. She’s the engine. And Kiki Rice, obviously, is the scoring threat.
Rachel: But Dave, what about the bench? The list of injured players includes Rayah Marshall, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Saniya Rivers, Brittney Griner, Kennedy Burke, Nyara Sabally, Kamila Borkowska, Maria Gakdeng, Maria Conde, and Temi Fagbenle. That’s a huge chunk of the roster.
Dave: It is a massive chunk. And here’s the tactical reality: when you lose ten players, you lose your system. You can’t run pick-and-rolls if your big isn’t there to set screens. You can’t switch defenses if your perimeter defenders are out. We need to identify who among those ten is worth keeping based on contract and potential.
Rachel: So, if you had to cut two names from that injury list to make room for new additions, who goes?
Dave: I’d look at age and fit. If someone is a veteran minimum contract but doesn’t offer specific spacing or defense, they’re vulnerable. We need versatility. Someone who can guard multiple positions. That’s what gets you into the playoffs.
Rachel: @SpeedyPoints asks, 'Will Kiki Rice become the MVP candidate next year if we add a second star?'
Dave: Absolutely. Look at her numbers. 28 points in a loss. That shows she’s taking every opportunity. If she has help—say, a playmaker like Allemand getting easier looks, or a post presence like Harrison drawing double teams—Rice’s efficiency will skyrocket. MVP conversations start with consistent excellence, and she’s showing that.
Rachel: One more from Chris in Toronto: 'Should we worry about the frontcourt depth if we don’t draft a big body?'
Dave: Yes. Harrison is great, but she needs support. Without a reliable backup center, you get worn down by the end of the season. We need size. We need someone who can protect the rim when Harrison sits.
Rachel: Alright, Segment Three: Fun Hypotheticals and Lightning Round. Let’s go hypothetical. Imagine we win the lottery and pick JuJu Watkins. How does that change our offensive spacing immediately?
Dave: It opens up the lane. Watkins is a high-level scorer and passer. If she plays alongside Rice, you have two primary creators. Defenses can’t just sag off Rice anymore. They have to respect Watkins’ drive, which opens up corner threes for our shooters.
Rachel: Lightning round! First question: Who is the most underrated player on the current roster?
Dave: Julie Allemand. Five assists might not sound huge, but running the tempo against a team like the Sun requires precision. She kept us organized.
Rachel: Second question: What is the biggest risk for the Tempo in 2027?
Dave: Health. Again. If we lose Rice or Allemand early, the ceiling drops dramatically.
Rachel: Final lightning question: Where will we finish in the standings?
Dave: Fourth in the Eastern Conference Division. Like we said yesterday, and the day before. It’s a realistic target given the competition and our current trajectory.
Rachel: There you have it. Fourth in the East, a focus on retaining Rice, Allemand, and Harrison, and all eyes on the draft lottery on November 15th.
Dave: If you want us to hit 22 wins, we need health. Make sure you stay tuned for the lottery broadcast on ESPN. It’s going to be a pivotal night.
Rachel: Thank you for tuning in to the Toronto Tempo Show on the Beatline Podcast Network. Please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a friend who loves the Tempo.
Dave: Keep the faith, Toronto. We’ll see you on the court.
Rachel: Go Tempo!