Picture this: a high-stakes event where young superstars could redefine an entire league, and throw in a dash of real-life romance for good measure. That's the electrifying essence of the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery, and trust me, you're going to want to stick around for every twist and turn!
Hey everyone, welcome back to EE-SPN. I'm your host, Ben.
And I'm Vaishnavi, joining the fun.
Here on episode 13, we're diving deep into our predictions for the top five selections in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, exploring what these choices could spell for the future of these franchises.
To set the stage for newcomers, let's break down the WNBA basics. The regular season spans four action-packed months, kicking off in May and wrapping up by September, with playoffs extending into mid-October. Right now, the league boasts 13 teams, fresh off adding the Golden State Valkyries in 2025. But get ready—two exciting expansion squads, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, are gearing up for their debut in 2026, bumping the total to 15 teams. This growth adds new energy and rivalries, potentially shaking up the competitive landscape in ways that could benefit fan engagement and player opportunities.
The draft lottery probabilities hinged on the combined performance over the last two seasons—2024 and 2025—for the five squads that missed the playoffs in the most recent year. Coming out on top with the coveted number one slot is the Dallas Wings, trailed by the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and finally, the Chicago Sky.
For context, the Dallas Wings snagged the top pick for the second consecutive year after selecting Paige Bueckers from the University of Connecticut in the 2025 draft. Bueckers generated buzz almost as intense as Caitlin Clark's when she burst onto the scene, and she delivered a standout rookie campaign, earning Rookie of the Year honors, a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team (which recognizes top performers outside the first team), and a starting role in the All-Star game. Sadly, she stood as the sole highlight in a disastrous Wings campaign, where they finished dead last with a dismal 10-34 record. Dallas battled offensive woes (ranking 10th in scoring efficiency) and defensive struggles (11th in the league), compounded by a slew of injuries and the challenges of adapting to new head coach Chris Koclanes.
In our forecasts, we see the 5-foot-11 UConn shooting guard and Bueckers' former college teammate, Azzi Fudd, landing as the number one overall choice. Early in the college basketball season—through her first nine games—Fudd has dazzled with nearly 50% shooting from the field and an impressive 53% from beyond the arc. Her offensive prowess could revolutionize Dallas' attack. But here's where it gets controversial: Bueckers and Fudd are openly romantically involved. It's unprecedented for consecutive top picks to be a couple, let alone end up on the same roster. And this is the part most people miss—how might this dynamic influence team chemistry, media coverage, or even fan perceptions? Some argue it could inspire inclusivity and strengthen bonds, while others worry about scrutiny or distractions. What do you think—does love on and off the court elevate or complicate professional sports?
These two share undeniable synergy on the hardwood, having clinched a national title together in 2025, with Fudd claiming Most Outstanding Player (MOP) at the NCAA Women's Final Four—a prestigious award for the standout in the championship tournament. As we'll unpack further, Dallas has a wealth of promising talents to address their weaknesses, but the Fudd-Bueckers backcourt duo promises to captivate with their offensive flair.
Shifting to the second overall pick, the Minnesota Lynx earned it via a trade with Chicago. Typically, teams in this position are rebuilding after tough times, but the Lynx were championship contenders for much of last season, boasting an 8-0 start and securing the top seed with a stellar 34-10 record. Their star, Napheesa Collier, was even in the MVP conversation.
We anticipate the Lynx selecting Awa Fam from Spain at number two. This 19-year-old, 6-foot-5 forward represents one of Europe's top exports to the WNBA lately. Her towering stature excels at dominating the paint defensively, and her natural athleticism makes her a jack-of-all-trades on both sides of the ball. Her instant contributions will be vital for the Lynx as they chase another title before their prime window narrows—think of her as a versatile anchor that could extend their dynasty, much like how international stars have transformed other leagues.
The Seattle Storm claims the third pick after acquiring it from the Los Angeles Sparks, following a turbulent, inconsistent year with a 23-21 mark. In the 2025 draft, Seattle used their second pick on French center Dominique Malonga, who impressed enough for a spot on the all-rookie team but needs to elevate her game to help restore the Storm's past dominance. Our prediction? They'll go with 5-foot-10 point guard Olivia Miles from Texas Christian University at third. Since her move to TCU, Miles has been averaging 17 points and seven assists while hitting 50% from the field.
Though Seattle's guard lineup already shines with veterans like Skylar Diggins, Erica Wheeler, and Brittney Sykes, adding Miles offers her mentorship opportunities from seasoned pros. The key for Storm will be assessing the compatibility of their tall guard-center pairing—Miles and Malonga—and possibly trading an aging, shorter guard to optimize for championship contention. It's a strategic puzzle: balancing youth with experience to avoid the pitfalls of roster mismatches.
The Washington Mystics are assembling a youthful powerhouse, armed with three first-round picks from the 2025 draft plus their 4th slot in 2026. Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen made waves, even earning All-Star nods. We foresee the 6-foot-7 powerhouse Lauren Betts from UCLA slipping to them at number four. She steered UCLA to the top seed and a Final Four appearance last year. As a classic post player who thrives on back-to-the-basket moves, she might not mesh seamlessly with every squad, especially in a WNBA increasingly favoring agile bigs like A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. Yet, her rim protection and interior finishing could compel teams to tweak their strategies around her. Controversially, does this mean the league undervalues traditional centers in favor of versatility? Share your takes—is there a bias against big-bodied players in modern women's hoops?
Finally, the Chicago Sky lands the fifth pick courtesy of the Connecticut Sun, after a bottom-dwelling conference finish with a horrific 10-34 record. Much like Dallas, Chicago has been organizational chaos, plagued by subpar coaching, injuries, and disarray. They need a coherent plan to rally around their core strengths. They swapped Minnesota's 2026 pick for the 11th spot in 2025, selecting Hailey Van Lith, who's struggled with limited minutes (averaging 12) and just 3.5 points, failing to meet lofty expectations.
We project Flau’jae Johnson from Louisiana State University going fifth. The 5-foot-10 guard is a college basketball icon, boasting 52.2% field goal accuracy so far this season. She captured a 2023 national title alongside current Sky star Angel Reese. Recently, off-court tensions have strained their friendship, sparking intrigue about whether this former powerhouse pair can mend fences in the WNBA. Regardless, Chicago craves vibrant young energy like Johnson's to fuel their turnaround.
Keep in mind, it's early in the college season, with many programs under 10 games played. As we approach March Madness, these prospects will reveal more, and our forecasts could shift dramatically—proving just how dynamic player evaluations are.
That's a wrap for this episode. Thanks for joining us!
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About the Contributors
Vaishnavi is a senior and Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. When she's not working, she enjoys diving into books and binge-watching her favorite shows.
Benjamin, a senior and Editor-in-Chief for El Estoque, unwinds by playing soccer, collecting vinyl records, and critiquing less-than-stellar films.
What are your thoughts on these projections? Do you believe personal relationships between players could boost team morale, or might they invite unwanted drama? And how do you feel about the league's emphasis on versatility over traditional skills? Drop your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear agreement, disagreement, or fresh perspectives!
