The WNBA offseason is reaching its thrilling conclusion. Following the historic expansion drafts for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire and a whirlwind of free agency moves, the spotlight now shifts to the 2026 WNBA Draft this Monday night. The next generation of stars, including Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, and Olivia Miles, will gather at The Shed in New York City, awaiting their professional futures.
For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings hold the coveted first overall selection. Unlike last year's clear choice in Paige Bueckers, this pick presents a fascinating dilemma. The Wings' recent free agency activity—signing forwards Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard—suggests a backcourt target. This sets the stage for a potential franchise-altering decision when the clock starts ticking at 7 p.m. ET.
In our final mock draft projection, we see the Wings opting for elite shooting to complement their existing stars. Despite a tough NCAA Tournament, Azzi Fudd's reputation as one of the greatest three-point shooting prospects in history, forged alongside Bueckers in a national championship run at UConn, makes her the logical fit. Imagine her spacing the floor alongside Bueckers and the dynamic Arike Ogunbowale—a nightmare for any defense.
The Minnesota Lynx, picking second, face a critical rebuild after a brutal week losing key rotation players. With Napheesa Collier sidelined to start the season, the need is acute. While dominant post player Awa Fam is tempting, the Lynx's aging backcourt points toward securing a point guard for the future. Olivia Miles, an elite playmaker, would find an ideal mentor in head coach Cheryl Reeve to round out her game.
This scenario would leave a premier talent falling to the Seattle Storm at number three. After entering a new era following the departure of veterans like Nneka Ogwumike, the Storm would sprint to the podium to select Awa Fam. Her immediate interior presence would be a cornerstone for Seattle's reconstruction, offering a reliable scoring and defensive anchor from day one.
As the draft unfolds through all three rounds, teams will be looking for the perfect blend of talent and fit to elevate their rosters. For fans and players alike, it's a night where dreams are realized and the league's future is shaped, one pick at a time.