Tempo sign French star, waive player in latest roster move

The Toronto Tempo have started off their inaugural season at 4-4 and are looking to put together a mini-win streak as they host the Seattle Storm on Saturday. In an effort to improve the roster, the Tempo made a pair of moves this week beginning with the signing of French star Tima Pouye, the team announced. The move came at the expense of guard Lexi Held.

In order to facilitate the signing of Tima Pouye, the Tempo waived Lexi Held from the roster, as per Toronto reporter Richard Deitsch. With the addition of Pouye, the Tempo roster now stands at 12 standard contracts and one developmental contract.

Pouye joins the Tempo after having played for Tango Bourges Basket of the EuroLeague for the past few years. She also has extensive FIBA experience playing for various levels of the French national team in international competition. She most recently suited up for France during the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket, and she was gold medal winner at part of the U18 national team at the 2016 Women’s European Championships.

Held had been acquired by the Tempo in the 2026 expansion draft after playing her rookie season with the Phoenix Mercury last year. She was a key contributor for the Mercury appearing in 32 games while averaging 5.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in a little over 14 minutes per game.

However, her role hadn’t been as big with the Tempo. Albeit appearing in all eight games to start this season, she was averaging only 1.1 points in a little over seven minutes, but shooting 50 percent from the 3-point line.