Most expansion teams preach patience. The Toronto Tempo just spent a million dollars to skip the line.

In their first known million-dollar backcourt move under the new CBA, the franchise has secured guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes on two-year max contracts, according to ESPN. The American basic cable sports broadcasting network claimed that the players’ agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM Sports Agency, told them.

By locking in two proven, two-way guards, the Toronto Tempo has instantly injected experience, scoring, defense, and leadership into a roster that is still in its early formation.

Marina Mabrey will arrive in Toronto as one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the league.

As a former Notre Dame star and a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2019, Mabrey has steadily carved out her identity through stints in Dallas, Chicago, and, most recently, the Connecticut Sun. Just last season, she averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while also delivering multiple 20+ point performances. However, what makes her valuable is her versatility. Mabrey can create her own shot and find spaces on the floor without being dependent on another player.

On the other hand, Brittney Sykes will bring a completely different but equally impactful skill set.

As a 2017 lottery pick out of Syracuse, Sykes has built her reputation on relentless defense and athleticism. In the 2025 WNBA season, she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection as she went on to average 14.1 points, 4.0 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. That may just be arguably the best season in her 9-year career. But what makes it even more impressive is that in this season, Sykes was traded from the Washington Mystics to the Seattle Storm midseason. Yet, even then, she remained consistent and efficient.

Together, they form a rare balance of an aggressive shot creator and a defensive anchor that will prove to be very valuable for the expansion team.

For both players, this move will also offer them a clean slate and a leadership role from day one. Because they’ll have the freedom to define the identity of a franchise that is still writing its first chapter.

But the front office may not be done just yet, as the WNBA Draft is also right around the corner.

Flau’jae Johnson Linked to Toronto Tempo

Johnson has already built a résumé at LSU that places her among the most accomplished guards in her class.

Just in her first season in Baton Rouge, she became the SEC Freshman of the Year and helped the LSU Tigers win a national championship. But if we got into every achievement or standout moment of her four-year college career, it would be a list far too long to fit into one conversation.

via Imago

However, it’s worth noting that at a time when player movement dominates the college landscape because of the transfer portal and NIL, Flau’jae Johnson’s stay at a single program stands out, as she finished with over 2,000 career points and etched her name into the program’s history.

In her senior season, Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while starting all 35 matchups for the Tigers. She scored in double figures 27 times and remained a steady presence on both ends of the floor with her ability to create offense and generate defensive plays.

That kind of production hasn’t gone unnoticed at the next level.

According to a recent projection by USA Today, Johnson is expected to land with the Toronto Tempo as the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 13th.

The projection highlighted her scoring versatility and defensive upside as something that the Tempo will need, while also suggesting that with the right development, she could evolve into an elite two-way guard at the professional level.

If that projection holds, the Toronto Tempo could give fans a blend of experience and emerging talent from day one. And that combination could make Toronto one of the most intriguing teams to watch right out of the gate.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR