For one WNBA legend, it took a decade to earn what the 2026 No. 1 pick will make in a single season. A new report highlights this staggering financial gap, putting Sue Bird and Paige Bueckers at the center of a new era in women’s basketball.
“The No 1 pick will earn $500,000 in her first season- something it took Sue Bird a decade to make from the WNBA(and seven times as much as the No. 1 pick a year ago, Paige Bueckers),” wrote Chantel Jennings on how times have changed for the sport.
From @TheAthletic: There was a time when there was no clear future in professional women’s basketball. The players who will be drafted on Monday night will never experience what it’s like to fight for a 401K match or dental insurance. https://t.co/tgiexbQjTD pic.twitter.com/BbL8uAO8uV
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 13, 2026
With the CBA in full effect, this would be the first season when the No. 1 pick will automatically make $500,000 a year. This is exactly seven times what Dallas Wings superstar Paige Bueckers made during her pick just last year.
Look at the difference one year makes. Legends like Sue Bird probably never thought back in her day that numbers like this were possible. Sue’s salary back in 2002, as the No. 1 pick, was less than $60,000, and the league had only recently introduced benefits such as 401 (k) matching and year-round dental insurance.
But look what we have now. A once-envisioned dream is now becoming a full-fledged reality. The historic CBA agreement has now fully changed the complexion of the game. Makes you wonder if Paige now rues being drafted last year, as 2026 had more to offer.
As Fudd prepares for her own draft night, the question arises: will Bueckers be in attendance to support her, just as Fudd supported her in 2025?
Will Bueckers Also Be In Attendance During the 2026 WNBA Draft?
Roll back to 2025 WNBA drafts, when among the many hopefuls there was also Paige Bueckers. The UConn alumna had just finished her season with the Huskies, but not without her fair share of adversity. Through it all, Azzi Fudd stood by her like a rock. Fudd, who was Bueckers’ teammate and girlfriend, was captured sharing a hug, smiling, and soaking in the moment together. For many fans, it wasn’t just about the pick. It felt like a “hard launch” of their relationship.
But now it is Bueckers’ turn to show support to her partner who is partaking in the same journey. The moment is undoubtedly tense, as Fudd is not the only one with a strong case to be a top pick.’. Olivia Miles, with her sensational year for TCU, and Lauren Betts, with her championship-winning season for UCLA, are all grabbing headlines.
The draft class is deep, creating more uncertainty for Fudd. Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center who just led UCLA to a national title, is a prime example. She’s one of six Bruins in the draft, giving UCLA a chance to break UConn’s 2002 record for first-round picks and highlighting the intense competition Fudd faces.
UCLA’s deep draft class could see them surpass the benchmark set by powerhouse programs like Tennessee (2008), Notre Dame (2019), and South Carolina (2023), all of whom had five players drafted.
It’s a race to the top, and so far, no one has emerged as a clear leader. Nervousness is bound to seep in, and having someone around who you can trust would really ease the pressure and calm the nerves.
This is why having Paige Bueckers at her side would really help Azzi. Will the destructive duo reunite again and give the fans the opportunity to see them create mayhem in the WNBA? Or will there be a surprise awaiting everyone?
This raises many questions, but they are all just speculation at this point until we get the final answer.
