The future of the 2026 WNBA season is uncertain, as ongoing negotiations between the league and the WNBAPA over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) remain distant. However, assuming the season proceeds, the crucial WNBA Draft will take place.
This upcoming draft promises excitement. The Dallas Wings aim to pair a new teammate with their No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers, while two championship-winning teams have notable selections, and two expansion teams look to make strong entrances. The big question is how it will all unfold.
Dallas Wings: Our Fam
The Wings face a challenging decision at the top pick, debating between Spanish standout Our Fam and last year’s No. 1 pick, college guard Aji Fuad, who is also Fam’s partner. While reuniting the couple would be a great story, the Wings must focus on winning, making Our Fam their best choice. The team has needs at center and shooting guard, complicated further by CBA issues and free agency, but re-signing Arike Ogunbowale might address the guard spot. Despite her inconsistent last season and awkward chemistry with Fuad, Ogunbowale remains a top-20 player when healthy and appears committed to Dallas. Drafting Fam offers versatility; he can guard multiple positions and score effectively but needs to sharpen his shooting. He stands out as the top prospect in this class.Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles
Olivia Miles’ move to TCU helped her develop from an elite playmaker to a more effective scorer, as shown by her stats: PPG improved from 15.4 to 19.7, and FG% rose from 48.3 to 51.0. The Lynx could strengthen their backcourt, particularly at point guard, where Miles is the best pure talent available, especially if Kaitlin Clark is viewed as a combo guard.Seattle Storm: Azi Fad
Azi Fad is the premier shooter in this draft, with a deep shooting percentage of 44.8%. While UCLA’s Gianna Neepkens may excel at catch-and-shoot opportunities, Fad’s ability to create shots herself makes her more valuable. Though she doesn’t consistently use this skill, she’s efficient around the basket and has improved defensively. She won’t fill Seattle’s urgent need for a long-term point guard but is a promising talent.Washington Mystics: Frauge Johnson
The Mystics might prefer to trade this pick for a team targeting Lauren Betts, but if not, they could select LSU’s Frauge Johnson. Johnson is a good 3-point shooter (43.9%) but currently struggles with scoring consistency. Her shooting inside the arc is uneven, but better spacing in the WNBA could benefit her.Chicago Sky: Tanya Latson
Tanya Latson proved this season she is more than a volume scorer, improving efficiency despite a lower usage rate after transferring from Florida State to South Carolina. The Sky, with a frontcourt anchored by Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso, need dependable outside scorers, and Latson has shown she can be both a leading option and an effective team player.Toronto Tempo: Lauren Betts
Despite being the top traditional post player in this draft, Lauren Betts falls to Toronto at No. 6 due to teams ahead having more pressing needs. This could be a win-win, as Tempo gains a significant player who will likely see immediate minutes and a major role on an expansion team.Portland Fire: Kiki Rice
Kiki Rice has emerged as a key contributor for UCLA, stepping up despite new competition for playing time. She ranks second in points and assists and leads the team in steals. Rice has steadily improved her 3-point shooting, now at 40%, and boasts her best overall field goal percentage, making her a valuable pick at No. 7.Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Neepkens
Known for elite spot-up shooting, Neepkens’ numbers are impressive, including a 54% 3-point shooting in 2023-24, albeit from a small sample. Questions remain about her defensive skills and ability to create shots, but her shooting talent alone warrants selection here.Washington Mystics: Nell Anguloma
French wing Nell Anguloma is a versatile offensive player capable of scoring on all three levels and has playmaking ability. She requires defensive development. With three first-round picks and a youthful roster, Washington can afford to let her develop overseas a while longer.Indiana Fever: Gabriella Jaquez
Facing guard depth issues exacerbated by injuries in 2025, the Fever need backcourt reinforcements regardless of Kelsey Mitchell’s future. UCLA’s Gabriella Jaquez has risen sharply this season, averaging 14.3 points and shooting 43.8% from three. If her shooting progress is sustainable, she could become a strong 3-and-D player off the bench.Washington Mystics: Coty McMahon
Transferring to Ole Miss provided Coty McMahon the chance to shine, averaging a career-high 19.8 points. Although efficiency and free-throw shooting are concerns, the raw talent is undeniable. Her low 3-point percentage (26.9%) raises questions about fitting into the increasingly perimeter-oriented WNBA, but her physicality and scoring ability justify the risk.Connecticut Sun: Madina Okot
Madina Okot had an impressive first season at South Carolina, averaging a double-double with dominant rim finishing (74.6% shooting near the basket). However, her overall scoring range is limited, with a low mid-range shooting percentage and tendencies toward turnovers. Despite these concerns, her ceiling as a rim protector and elite finisher is too high to pass up.Atlanta Dream: Raven Johnson
After Connecticut took a chance on Saniyah Rivers from South Carolina with good results, a similar gamble might be made on Raven Johnson. Her scoring is modest but much more efficient, and she has developed into a solid playmaker (5.4 assists per game) with outside shooting potential. Pairing her with a former college teammate could strengthen Atlanta’s backcourt.Seattle Storm: Yarden Garzon
Though her transfer to Maryland stalled her progress, Garzon has shown strong deep shooting skills. Like Neepkens, questions about her all-around game exist, but her shooting ability is enough to justify a first-round pick.Connecticut Sun: Jania Barker
While she may not reach the high expectations set early in her career at Texas A&M, Barker remains a worthwhile prospect. She can be a capable scorer and an elite defender, suited for a third or fourth scoring role if consistency improves. Her streaky performance last year tempers enthusiasm but does not rule out potential.
Fan Take:
This updated WNBA mock draft offers a fascinating glimpse into the future stars who could shape the league’s next era, especially with the possibility of expansion teams shaking up the competitive landscape. For fans, these picks not only signify talent acquisition but also signal how teams aim to balance immediate impact with long-term development, underscoring the sport’s growing depth and excitement.
