At the same time executives in WNBA front offices are monitoring negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that will determine the rules they operate under, they're also busy preparing for a second expansion draft in as many offseasons.

Last month, ESPN reported that the expansion draft for the incoming Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo is expected to feature different rules than last year's version that stocked the Golden State Valkyries with the makings of a playoff roster. With so many WNBA veterans headed to unrestricted free agency with the new CBA certain to massively increase salaries, teams are expected to be allowed to protect only five players each rather than last year's six.

Because the two expansion teams will be able to pick among players whose rights

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