The WNBA determines roster lists, protection limits, eligibility and trade windows for that specific expansion draft.
THE BIG IDEA
An expansion draft creates a starting point, not a finished roster.
The league sets special rules that let a new franchise select from players or rights held by existing teams. The exact rules can change from one expansion cycle to another, so this page uses Golden State's 2024 Expansion Draft as a recent real-world example — not a promise of what Cleveland, Detroit or Philadelphia will receive.
In Golden State's 2024 example, each existing team could protect up to six players.
Golden State could acquire a contract or negotiating rights to one available player from each existing team and was not required to choose from every team.
The expansion team could make agreements involving selecting — or not selecting — certain available players.
Free agency, the college draft, trades, waivers and camp competition continue the build after the expansion draft.
VISUAL MAP
Protected → Available → Selected.
Important: protection counts, selection limits, unrestricted-free-agent rules and draft positioning are not universal forever. The WNBA will publish the rules that apply to each future expansion team or expansion cycle.
WHY FANS SHOULD CARE
Expansion changes every team's roster math.
When protection spots are limited, teams have to decide which role players and developing talent they can risk exposing.
A player buried on one roster can become a starter, veteran anchor or featured defender for a new team.
Expansion drafts reward contract knowledge, rights management, scouting and creative trades — not just star chasing.
GOLDEN STATE CASE STUDY
What happened in 2024?
6
Maximum protected players per existing team
The remaining players and rights on the submitted roster list formed the available pool, subject to the specific 2024 rules.
1
Opportunity to select from each existing team
Golden State could take one available contract or set of rights from each of the 12 teams, but could skip a team.
11
Players ultimately selected
The Valkyries selected 11 players and then continued building through free agency and the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Recent rule example: WNBA Golden State Expansion Draft FAQ ↗