Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of women's basketball! Today, we're diving into the EE-SPN's take on the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery, a pivotal moment that could shape the future of the league. Love, talent, and strategic picks - it's all here!
BZ: Hello there, sports enthusiasts! I'm Ben, your host for this episode.
VZ: And I'm Vaishnavi, thrilled to be here.
BZ: In this episode, we're breaking down the top five projected picks of the 2026 WNBA Draft and exploring their impact on these teams. Let's dive right in!
VK: To set the scene, the WNBA's regular season spans four action-packed months, from May to September, with the playoffs extending into mid-October. Currently, the league boasts 13 teams, but get this - two new expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will join the league in 2026, bringing the total to an exciting 15 teams!
BZ: Now, the draft lottery odds were based on the cumulative records of the five teams that missed the playoffs over the past two years (2024 and 2025). And the Dallas Wings have secured the number one pick, followed by the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and the Chicago Sky.
VK: The Dallas Wings have a unique story. They've had the first pick for two years in a row! In the 2025 draft, they selected Paige Bueckers from the University of Connecticut, who generated almost as much buzz as the legendary Caitlin Clark. Bueckers had an incredible rookie season, earning Rookie of the Year, All-WNBA Second Team, and All-Star starter honors. But here's the catch - she was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal Wings season, finishing last with a record of 10-34. Dallas struggled mightily on both ends of the court, ranking 10th offensively and 11th defensively, and they also had to adjust to a new head coach, Chris Koclanes, and deal with significant injuries.
BZ: We're predicting that Azzi Fudd, Buecker's former UConn teammate and a 5-11 shooting guard, will be the number one overall pick. In the first nine college basketball games, Fudd shot an impressive 50% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc. Her offensive skills will be a game-changer for Dallas. But here's where it gets controversial - Bueckers and Fudd are publicly in a romantic relationship! It's unprecedented to have two back-to-back number one overall picks dating, let alone being drafted to the same team. Their on-court chemistry is undeniable, having won a national championship together in 2025, with Fudd named the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the 2025 NCAA Women's Final Four. While Dallas has other talented prospects to consider, the backcourt duo of Fudd and Bueckers will undoubtedly turn heads and provide an incredible offensive spectacle.
VK: The Minnesota Lynx have the second overall pick, acquired through a trade with Chicago. Usually, teams with such a high draft position are struggling, but the Lynx were championship contenders last year, starting the regular season with an impressive 8-0 record and finishing as the number one overall seed with a record of 34-10. Their star player, Napheesa Collier, was even in the running for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. We're projecting that Awa Fam from Spain will be drafted second overall by Minnesota. Fam is a 19-year-old, 6-foot-5 forward and one of the most promising European prospects to enter the WNBA in recent years. Her size and raw athleticism make her an incredibly versatile player, and her immediate impact could be crucial for the Lynx as they aim for another championship run before their window of opportunity closes.
BZ: The Seattle Storm hold the third overall pick, which they acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks. The Storm had a rollercoaster season, finishing with a record of 23-21. In the 2025 draft, they selected French center Dominique Malonga, who had a relatively successful rookie season, making the all-rookie team. However, Malonga will need to step up her game to help the Storm regain their former glory. We're predicting that Texas Christian University's 5-foot-10 point guard, Olivia Miles, will be drafted third. Since transferring to TCU, Miles has been on fire, averaging 17 points and seven assists while shooting 50% from the field. Despite the Storm's already talented guard rotation, including Skylar Diggins, Erica Wheeler, and Brittney Sykes, drafting Miles will provide an opportunity for her to learn from veteran WNBA players. The key for the Storm is to evaluate the long-term compatibility between Miles and Malonga, and potentially trade away one of their older, smaller guards to improve their championship prospects.
VK: The Washington Mystics are building a young, talented team, having acquired three first-round picks in the 2025 WNBA draft, in addition to their fourth overall pick in 2026. Rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have made significant contributions and were recognized as all-stars. We're projecting that UCLA's dominant 6-foot-7 giant, Lauren Betts, will fall to the Mystics at the fourth slot. Betts led UCLA to the number one seed in the NCAA tournament and the Final Four last season. While her traditional back-to-the-basket style may not be a perfect fit for every team, especially in a league dominated by versatile centers like A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier, her ability to protect the paint and finish in the interior will make her an attractive prospect for any team willing to adjust their system.
BZ: The Chicago Sky have the fifth pick, acquired from the Connecticut Sun. The Sky ended the season at the bottom of their conference with a disappointing record of 10-34. Similar to Dallas, the Sky has been a mess, plagued by poor coaching, injuries, and a lack of coordination. They need a clear vision and a strong foundation to build upon. Originally, they had Minnesota's pick for 2026, which they traded for the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Hailey Van Lith. However, Van Lith has yet to meet expectations, averaging just 12 minutes and 3.5 points per game.
We're predicting that Louisiana State University's 5'10
