WNBA mock draft: After free agency, new No. 1 pick and other shakeups to our projections

WNBA mock draft: After free agency, new No. 1 pick and other shakeups to our projections

The WNBA delivered on its promise of a frenzy during the first two days of free agency, with All-Stars moving across the country, contenders reloading and others falling out of that tier. Although no 2026 first-round picks changed hands during the wheeling and dealing, enough player movement has taken place to warrant a reexamination of Monday night’s draft, especially at the top.

Here is a quick update on the mock draft now that teams have full(er) rosters and more defined needs.

1. Dallas Wings

Olivia Miles | 5-10 guard | TCU

Previous projection: 3

A change-up at No. 1! The Wings have been active in free agency, bringing in co-defensive player of the year Alanna Smith (on a three-year deal) and Jessica Shepard to bolster their frontcourt. They also brought back 24-year-old forward Awak Kuier and have Li Yueru in training camp. Center no longer seems like a position of need for Dallas, not now or in the immediate future.

The Wings could go with Azzi Fudd as a backcourt selection, a known quantity to play next to Paige Bueckers, but Miles has more upside. She is a savant as a playmaker and could blossom into one of the best passers the league has ever seen. Dallas can also tap into Miles off the ball, since there are additional creators on the roster, unlike at TCU, and use her much-improved shooting ability.

2. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky)

Awa Fam Thiam | 6-4 center | Valencia (Spain)

Previous projection: 1

The Lynx lost a lot of frontcourt depth in free agency, most of it to the Wings, and Maria Kliundikova in the expansion draft. So if Dallas passes on a center, Minnesota will be quick to scoop up Fam Thiam. The pairing of Napheesa Collier and Fam Thiam is exciting with their versatility and athleticism. The Lynx have minutes to give Fam Thiam now and have been a great development franchise for young bigs.

3. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)

Azzi Fudd | 5-11 guard | UConn

Previous projection: 4

This means an unfortunate fall for Lauren Betts, but a positional logjam once again works against a frontcourt prospect. The Storm just inked Ezi Magbegor to a three-year deal (the richest in WNBA history as of Sunday evening!) and have 20-year-old Dominique Malonga, which could prompt the Storm to bolster their perimeter rotation. That leads them to Fudd, a fantastic shooting prospect for a team that has been starved for spacing in recent seasons.

4. Washington Mystics

Lauren Betts | 6-7 center | UCLA

Previous projection: 2

Whether or not the Mystics match on Shakira Austin, Betts is the best player available, and Washington doesn’t need to worry about fit right now, as it clearly is in asset accumulation mode. Betts reunites with UCLA assistant coach Michaela Onyenwere (who signed with the Mystics on Sunday) and former Stanford teammate Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics get the best defender in the draft and can build her offensive game.

5. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)

Kiki Rice | 5-11 guard | UCLA

Previous projection: 5

The guard room is getting awfully crowded in Chicago, but nearly every prospect suitable in this range is a guard, so Rice it is. Rice had an excellent NCAA Tournament showing, successfully shared the court with a 6-7 big for three seasons and can defend at a high level. Skylar Diggins and Courtney Vandersloot will be great mentors for this young point guard.

6. Toronto Tempo

Iyana Martín | 5-9 guard | Avenida (Spain)

Previous projection: 6

The lightest spot on Toronto’s depth chart is point guard, and Martín already has been successful against WNBA-caliber competition. Martín’s greatest claim to fame is that she won MVP at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023. The five players to win that award before her? Caitlin Clark, Bueckers, Kliundikova, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Seems like a worthy player to take a chance on.

7. Portland Fire

Raven Johnson | 5-9 guard | South Carolina

Previous projection: 10

The Fire are well-stocked at wing between Bridget Carleton, Karlie Samuelson, Haley Jones and Sarah Ashlee Barker. Even with second-year guard Carla Leite already on the roster, Portland could use a backup point guard, and Johnson is as good a culture-setter as there is in this draft.

8. Golden State Valkyries

Gabriela Jaquez | 6-0 wing | UCLA

Previous projection: 7

The Valkyries’ two biggest free agency signings were Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton, two players who like to have the ball in their hands. That provides a comfortable landing spot for Jaquez, who is an outstanding cutter and capable spot-up shooter, and she hails from the same alma mater as coach Natalie Nakase.

9. Washington (from Seattle)

Ta’Niya Latson | 5-8 guard | South Carolina

Previous projection: 8

A backcourt of Latson and Georgia Amoore is a little small, but the Mystics can afford to experiment. Latson is the perfect downhill complement to Amoore’s skill beyond the arc. The two are familiar with each other’s games (and Sonia Citron’s) after so many ACC battles at Florida State and Virginia Tech.

10. Indiana Fever

Flau’jae Johnson | 5-10 guard | LSU

Previous projection: 9

There aren’t any obvious holes on the Fever roster, so they could go in any direction. Johnson makes sense for Indiana because she can play at Indiana’s pace and should excel in transition, even against WNBA athletes. She gives the Fever some size on the wing and another capable defender.

11. Washington (from New York Liberty via Connecticut)

Angela Dugalić | 6-4 forward | UCLA

Previous projection: Not listed

Onyenwere’s signing makes me want to send even more Bruins to Washington. Dugalić, who is one of the 15 players invited to the draft, gets the nod. She bears some resemblance to Smith with her defensive versatility, physical build and sometimes questionable offensive decision-making. Seeing how well that has worked out for Smith, Dugalić earns a bump into the final first-round mock.

12. Connecticut (from Phoenix Mercury)

Nell Angloma | 5-11 guard | Lattes Montpellier (France)

Previous projection: 12

No movement for Angloma. Rachid Meziane and the Connecticut front office seem to like this type of player.

13. Atlanta Dream

Gianna Kneepkens | 6-0 guard | UCLA

Previous projection: 13

Another pick that hasn’t changed. Kneepkens belongs in the Karl Smesko system. The Atlanta bigs can use as much spacing as possible, and Kneepkens provides it.

14. Seattle (from Las Vegas Aces)

Frieda Bühner | 6-2 guard/forward | Movistar Estudiantes (Spain)

Previous projection: 11

An international swing for the Storm. Seattle clearly isn’t contending this season and doesn’t have much depth at forward slots. A spacing forward who can clear the lane for Magbegor and Malonga should be a good fit.

15. Connecticut (from Minnesota via Washington)

Madina Okot | 6-6 center | South Carolina

Previous projection: 15

Picking Okot is even more exciting if she can learn how to use her frame from Brittney Griner, who moved to the Sun in free agency. Okot clearly needs more time to develop; she’ll get it in Connecticut with the best possible practice buddy.

Also considered: Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss), Marta Suárez (TCU), Raegan Beers (Oklahoma)

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Women's College Basketball

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