WNBA Draft Lottery with Five Teams Scheduled for November 23
The WNBA Draft Lottery for 2026 is set to occur on November 23, airing live on ESPN. This exciting event will start at 6:30 p.m. ET and features five teams vying for a chance at the top draft pick.
Participating Teams in the WNBA Draft Lottery
The teams participating in this year’s lottery include:
- Dallas Wings
- Minnesota Lynx
- Seattle Storm
- Washington Mystics
- Chicago Sky
Lottery Odds and Selection Process
The lottery odds are derived from the cumulative records over the past two regular seasons. This analysis specifically applies to teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs last season.
The Dallas Wings, boasting a cumulative record of 19-15, hold the best odds. They have a total of 420 chances out of 1,000 to secure the number one pick. Furthermore, the Wings are guaranteed a spot among the top three picks.
This year has seen significant movement due to trades. The Minnesota Lynx now hold Chicago’s first-round pick thanks to a deal made with the Sky. They have 261 opportunities to win the top pick. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm, who acquired the Los Angeles Sparks’ first-round pick, sit at third place with 167 chances.
Upcoming Draft and Player Projections
The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 13. As of now, UCLA’s Lauren Betts is regarded as the projected first overall pick. Betts initially had intentions to enter this year’s draft but opted to return to college for her senior season.
Players who are eligible to return to school can choose to delay their draft declaration until after their collegiate season concludes.
Details on the New WNBA Teams
The WNBA has yet to announce where its newly introduced teams—Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo—will fit in the draft order. It is important to note that the previous year, the Golden State Valkyries picked fifth following the lottery result.
Furthermore, an expansion draft for the new teams will be scheduled only after the league and players finalize a new collective bargaining agreement.
