The WNBA Draft lottery took place on Sunday, setting the order for the first five picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft. For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings secured the top pick, selecting from an impressive talent pool. Following Dallas, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago will choose next.
Washington holds the No. 4 pick for the second straight year and has also acquired the ninth and 11th overall picks. In the 2025 draft, the Mystics picked Sonia Citron third, Kiki Iriafen fourth, and Georgia Amur sixth. They added Lucy Olsen with the 11th pick in the second round, who joined three first-round selections on the roster. However, the team’s roster was somewhat crowded during the season, despite Amoore missing time due to a torn ACL. The Mystics also decided to trade Aaliyah Edwards, a 2024 first-round sixth pick, to the Connecticut Sun.
The young core of Citron, Iriafen, and Amur has significant future potential, which is crucial as these players are expected to be the only ones guaranteed on the Mystics’ roster through 2026. With about 80% of the league entering free agency this offseason and the expansion draft introducing Toronto and Portland, most teams face uncertainty heading into the new season.
While details on the expansion draft rules, including player protections, remain unclear, the Mystics’ young trio likely will be protected. Last year, teams could safeguard six players during the Valkyries expansion draft; even if that number drops to three, these players are expected to be safe.
Despite these promising young players and future acquisitions through free agency, the Mystics face roster challenges. Teams can have a maximum of 12 players, and with Citron, Iriafen, Amur, Olsen (under rookie contract), and three first-round picks, the roster could already have seven. Washington also holds the 19th, 30th, and 34th picks in later rounds of the 2026 draft, with 10 players currently in camp before free agency.
With two expansion teams entering the league this year, the draft’s importance increases. First-round picks are highly coveted as rosters expand and college talent floods into the WNBA.
The Mystics are well positioned to secure the No. 9 and No. 11 picks, which they could trade for veteran players to complement their young core and boost team development.
Retaining all six draft picks would intensify training camp competition, but roster limits mean several draftees might be waived. The Mystics could gain value by trading picks to teams seeking young talent before the draft occurs.
However, this depends on two key factors: a new collective bargaining agreement that will clarify draft, free agency, and expansion draft rules, and the stabilization of free agency before making significant trade moves. Teams should fully understand their situations and options before committing to big deals.
It seems unlikely the Mystics will keep all six 2026 draft picks, making their offseason moves important to watch.
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Fan Take: This news is exciting for WNBA fans because it highlights how team-building strategies are evolving with expansion and free agency shaking up the league. The Mystics’ blend of young talent and savvy trading could set a model for navigating roster challenges while staying competitive in an increasingly dynamic WNBA.
