Portland Fire’s general manager Vanja Černivec is firmly focused on reaching the WNBA playoffs in their inaugural 2026 season, rejecting the idea of tanking to secure a high draft pick. Currently holding a 7–9 record, the team is just behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Sparks for the final postseason spot. Despite the appeal of landing a top selection in the 2027 draft, particularly to possibly choose USC guard JuJu Watkins—the expected number one pick—Černivec emphasized that aiming to build a winning culture from the start takes priority over lottery positioning.

The Fire are navigating a competitive draft lottery setup, which has expanded to involve seven teams due to two new expansion franchises, lowering any single team’s odds of winning the top pick. Moreover, there is uncertainty around Watkins’s availability as she is recovering from an ACL injury and could return to college next season. Černivec pointed to the multifaceted risks of pursuing a lottery pick and highlighted the importance of building a competitive roster now, rather than relying on uncertain future prospects.

Černivec draws inspiration from her prior experience with the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team that defied expectations by making the playoffs and finishing with a winning record last season. The Fire are applying a similar blueprint by emphasizing international talent; key contributors such as Carla Leite from France and Bridget Carleton from Canada headline their roster, complemented by young international players like Iyana Martín Carrión from Spain. This global approach, backed by Černivec’s background as an international scout and GM, offers a strategic edge in developing younger prospects who can impact the team’s success.

The Fire’s early competitive showing also aims to position them well in upcoming free agency, with hopes of attracting star players motivated to join a winning environment. The 2027 free agent class includes notable names like Napheesa Collier and Kelsey Mitchell, making the Fire’s current push for playoff status critical to demonstrating potential. Overall, the organization’s philosophy is to foster a culture of competitiveness and player development, rejecting tanking in favor of sustainable growth and immediate impact.