Rachel: Imagine walking into a locker room where ten players are listed as out. That wasn't a hypothetical for the Toronto Tempo last season—it was their reality in Connecticut.
Dave: And yet, Kiki Rice dropped 28 points on that depleted squad. Isabelle Harrison grabbed ten rebounds with no rim protection. It’s a miracle they didn’t lose by forty more.
Rachel: Welcome to Beatline, America’s number one daily sports podcast network. I’m Rachel, and this is the Toronto Tempo Daily. Joining me is our lead analyst, Dave.
Dave: Good morning, Rachel. And good morning, Tempo faithful. We are live from the aftermath of a brutal 95-81 loss to the Sun, but today we aren’t dwelling on the score. We’re looking at who stays and who goes.
Rachel: That’s right. Today we are breaking down the roster battles. First, we’ll tackle the most critical position battle on the team right now. Then, two more depth-chart questions that could define next year. And finally, our roster-cut predictions—who is trending up and who is on the chopping block?
Dave: It’s a fascinating puzzle. With the Sun moving to Houston, the landscape has changed. But inside Toronto? It’s still about survival. Let’s get into it.
Rachel: Let’s start with the big one. The frontcourt. Last night, we talked about how the absence of Brittney Griner, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Nyara Sabally turned the paint into a disaster zone. Now, with the draft lottery looming, who actually holds the fort?
Dave: It’s Isabelle Harrison. She had to carry that load against Connecticut. Ten rebounds isn’t just a stat; it’s a statement. In a league that values spacing and switching, Harrison provides the physicality the Tempo lacks. But can she hold up over an eight-month season?
Rachel: I think the bigger question is the backup center spot. With Griner and O’Doda out indefinitely, and Sabally also sidelined, the depth chart is basically empty. Do you trust Temi Fagbenle to step in, or is that a role too big for her right now?
Dave: Fagbenle is tough, but she’s not a volume rebounder. When Van Lith pulled down nine boards for the Sun, it showed what happens when you don’t have size. If Harrison gets any knock, the Tempo’s defense collapses. I’m worried about that interior spacing issue.
Rachel: So, is Harrison the only anchor you want? Or do you see Kamila Borkowska making a case for minutes, even though she was listed out in that final game?
Dave: Borkowska has the skill set, but if she’s out with the same injury list as everyone else, it’s hard to project. My read? Harrison starts. Period. The rest is a competition between whoever recovers fastest. It’s a precarious position.
Rachel: Precarious is one word for it. Let’s move to the backcourt. Julie Allemand had five assists against Connecticut. Not bad, but not elite. With Rayah Marshall also out, who is running the offense when Rice is being double-teamed?
Dave: Allemand is the steady hand. Five assists in a blowout loss shows composure. But the Tempo needs more playmaking creativity. Marshall brings explosiveness. Without her, the pick-and-roll becomes predictable. Opponents know exactly what’s coming.
Rachel: Right. And if Marshall doesn’t return healthy, does Allemand have to take on a heavier scoring load? Because currently, Rice is doing all the heavy lifting with 28 points.
Dave: If Allemand scores more, the tempo slows down. You need pace. You need transition opportunities. Without Marshall’s driving threat, you’re stuck in half-court sets against switching defenses. It’s a tactical nightmare.
Rachel: Okay, so Harrison is the anchor, Allemand is the floor general, but the support cast is decimated. This brings us to Segment Two. Two more battles. Let’s talk about the wing spots. Saniya Rivers and Kennedy Burke were both out. Who steps up there?
Dave: This is where the 2027 draft comes in. JuJu Watkins is projected No. 1. If she lands in Toronto, she immediately solves the wing scoring problem. But until then, it’s open tryouts.
Rachel: But looking at the current roster, who has shown flashes? Maria Gakdeng and Maria Conde were both listed out, which tells me injuries are widespread. Is there anyone left who can defend three spots?
Dave: The brief mentions these players are out, but it doesn’t give us their stats. However, historically, the Tempo struggles with versatility. If you can’t switch 1 through 4, you’re going to get picked apart. I’d bet on a new acquisition here.
Rachel: A new acquisition? You mean a trade? With the lottery coming up, teams might be willing to move expiring contracts.
Dave: Exactly. The Sun are moving to Houston. Their roster dynamics will shift. Toronto could swoop in and grab a veteran wing for depth. It’s a strategic necessity. You can’t rely on youth alone in this league.
Rachel: So, our prediction stands: 22 wins if health improves. But that hinges on getting fresh bodies into those wing spots. What about the point guard situation beyond Allemand? Is there a young player emerging?
Dave: Not from the data we have. The injury list is terrifying. Ten players out. It suggests a systemic issue, maybe conditioning, maybe schedule congestion. But tactically, Allemand is the only proven commodity.
Rachel: Systemic issues are scary. Okay, let’s pivot to Segment Three. Roster cuts. The deadline is approaching. Who is trending up, and who is likely packing their bags?
Dave: Trending up: Isabelle Harrison. She proved she can dominate the glass even without help. Her value is undeniable. Also, Julie Allemand. Consistency wins contracts.
Rachel: Agreed. Harrison is a bargain. But who is trending down? The brief lists so many names as 'Out.' Does that mean they are injured, or that they are being cut?
Dave: In the WNBA, 'Out' usually means injury. But if those injuries linger, it creates a cap space opportunity. Players like Kamila Borkowska or Maria Conde might find themselves in a make-or-break camp scenario.
Rachel: So, if they don’t recover, they’re gone? That’s harsh.
Dave: It’s business. The Tempo need winners. They need players who can contribute Day One. If Harrison is the only reliable big, and Allemand is the only reliable passer, everyone else is fighting for scraps.
Rachel: And that’s why the JuJu Watkins mock draft is so crucial. She’s the immediate impact player. Without her, the Tempo are rebuilding from zero. With her, they have a cornerstone.
Dave: Correct. Watkins changes the entire geometry of the court. She forces defenses to respect the perimeter, opening up drives for Rice. It’s the missing piece.
Rachel: We’ve got to go to break here. Stick with us, because after this, we’re diving into the lottery odds and what they mean for Toronto’s future.
Rachel: We’re back. Let’s wrap this up. The Toronto Tempo stand at 0-0, but the story is written in the injuries and the potential. Harrison and Allemand are the core. Watkins is the hope.
Dave: And the Sun moving to Houston removes a rival, but it doesn’t fix the Tempo’s roster holes. They need smart moves in the lottery and free agency.
Rachel: If you enjoyed this deep dive into the roster battles, please consider supporting the show. Your contributions help keep us free and daily, allowing us to bring you these detailed breakdowns without paywalls. Just check the link in the episode description to chip in.
Dave: Every dollar helps us stay sharp. Thank you for listening, Tempo fans. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Rachel: Go Tempo! See you tomorrow.