The Portland Fire's return to the WNBA in 2026 presents a familiar challenge for coach Alex Sarama: building a new team from scratch. But this isn't the first time someone has faced this daunting task in Portland. Linda Hargrove, the original coach and general manager of the Fire, knows firsthand the complexities of expansion.
Hargrove's tenure saw the team struggle initially, going 37-59 over three seasons. However, the team showed promise in its final year, going 16-16, before the franchise was unfortunately discontinued in 2002. Looking back, Hargrove highlights the expansion draft as a challenging starting point. She explains that many available players are primarily bench players, not the premier talent that teams are seeking.
The draft lottery further complicates matters for expansion teams, as they are not included and thus cannot secure high draft picks in their first year. The Fire's first pick in 2000, for instance, was the No. 7 pick, which they are slotted for again in 2026. This limited the team's ability to acquire top talent early on.
Hargrove emphasizes the importance of free agency in building a competitive expansion team. The Fire strategically signed players like Sylvia Crawley, Michelle Marciniak, and Tully Bevilaqua, who had experience in the American Basketball League but hadn't yet been drafted into the WNBA. These players became key contributors, with Crawley holding the team's career records in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Despite the challenges, Hargrove's time with the Fire was incredibly rewarding. She enjoyed the opportunity to build the team from the ground up, hire staff, and witness the team's growth over three seasons. Now, as the Fire return to the WNBA, Hargrove is eager to see the new team's progress and hopes to attend games in Portland, reminiscing about her time with the original Fire.
