The 2026 WNBA draft is arguably the most chaotic in league history. It is coming on the back of a historic CBA and a free agency that has the majority of the league moving around. New contracts have been signed, and teams are looking nowhere near what they were last year. In addition, the league is adding two teams for the first time since 2000. So, how will the rookie draft look under the new CBA with the addition of the 2 expansion teams? Let’s have a look.
What is the format of the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The WNBA Draft consists of three rounds, like usual. The order of picks in each round is the reverse of the last regular season’s standings, except for the first five picks of the first round, which are determined by the Draft Lottery. The Dallas Wings won the No. 1 pick in the lottery for a consecutive season.
Draft picks can be traded among teams up until the night before the Draft, so the order and number of picks per team can change significantly. After that point, exercised draft picks can be traded during or after the Draft.
What is the 2026 WNBA Draft order?
Following is the draft order for the upcoming rookie draft in all three rounds:
First Round:
1) Dallas Wings
2) Minnesota Lynx from Chicago Sky
3) Seattle Storm from Los Angeles Sparks
4) Washington Mystics
5) Chicago Sky from Connecticut Sun
6) Toronto Tempo
7) Portland Fire
8) Golden State Valkyries
9) Washington Mystics from Seattle Storm
10) Indiana Fever
11) Washington Mystics from New York Liberty
12) Connecticut Sun from Phoenix Mercury
13) Atlanta Dream
14) Seattle Storm from Las Vegas Aces
15) Connecticut Sun from Minnesota Lynx
Second Round
1) Seattle Storm from Dallas Wings
2) Chicago Sky
3) Connecticut Sun
4) Washington Mystics
5) Los Angeles Sparks
6) Portland Fire
7) Toronto Tempo
8) Golden State Valkyries
9) Los Angeles Sparks from Seattle Storm
10) Indiana Fever
11) Chicago Sky from New York Liberty
12) Phoenix Mercury
13) Atlanta Dream
14) Las Vegas Aces
15) Washington Mystics from Minnesota Lynx
Third Round:
1) Dallas Wings
2) Chicago Sky
3) Connecticut Sun
4) Washington Mystics
5) Los Angeles Sparks
6) Toronto Tempo
7) Portland Fire
8) Golden State Valkyries
9) Seattle Storm
10) Indiana Fever
11) New York Liberty
12) Phoenix Mercury
13) Atlanta Dream
14) Las Vegas Aces
15) Minnesota Lynx
How Were the Draft Picks For The Two New Expansion Teams Decided?
The draft picks for Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire were decided at the expansion draft itself. The decision was done through a coin toss. The Tempo won it and chose to receive the sixth pick in the draft, while the Fire got the first pick in the Expansion Draft and the seventh in the upcoming rookie draft. The first five picks were reserved for the five worst records from the past season and selected via the lottery.
Who Are The Projected Top Picks At the Upcoming WNBA Draft?
Following is the projected draft order for the Top 5 picks
1. Azzi Fudd—Dallas Wings
The Wings have filled up on bigs in free agency. They signed Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepherd and Li Yueru. That shows that they are trending towards picking a guard as the top pick. Olivia Miles is an option as well but the Paige Bueckers connection with Fudd means she is the favorite.
2. Awa Fam—Minnesota Lynx
Awa Fam has many advantages over her competitors. As an international recruit, she is just 19 and has already played against WNBA-caliber players in the European circuit. She could pair nicely with Napheesa Collier with her creativity in the paint and her size. The Lynx have lost size in Smith, Bridget Carleton and Shephard. Fam would be a suitable investment.
3. Olivia Miles—Seattle Storm
Olivia Miles is considered the best passing prospect since Caitlin Clark. Her ability to drive to the rim and score off the dribble is impressive as well. Skylar Diggins has left for the Chicago Sky, leaving a big hole at their point guard position. Miles could be a plug-and-play guard that could get their offense going under Sonia Raman.
4. Lauren Betts—Washington Mystics
Betts reminded everyone just how dominant she can be during UCLA’s championship run, averaging 21 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. While the Mystics don’t need many bigs as such, Betts is a tough prospect to pass up on. Her ability to defend in the paint is not replicated by any rookie in this class and her footwork on the offense is impressive too.
