Here’s the first 2022 WNBA Mock Draft, prior to any free agency craziness, to kick things off for the New Year.
Essentially this mock draft is based on each team’s needs prior to any free agency moves. More than likely every team could potentially change once free agency begins on January 15. Certain teams, like the Dallas Wings, already have a filled roster. There are others, pending free agency, that will have plenty of available slots to fill. Best available will appear to fit most teams at this point.
Others, like the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty, would be drafting based on need. A lot will change in version 2.0, due out in February, as this year’s WNBA free agency period is expected to be the craziest and most unpredictable ever. Furthermore, the slew of cancellations and postponements in the NCAA season has derailed some players chances of showcasing their talents early on in the season.
First Round
#1. Washington Mystics – Rhyne Howard, 6’2″ SF, Kentucky
The Washington Mystics situation with the #1 pick will become clearer once their situation with Elena Delle Donne’s back injury gets figured out. If she’s committed to play, the remaining free agents on their roster get sorted out, and then the discussion on who they draft, or if they trade the pick, becomes clearer.
At this point, I have the Mystics taking Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard. Howard’s the best all-around player in the draft and has the ability to play multiple positions. She’s currently averaging 18.7 points per game as well as 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 4.1 assists. The potential tandem of Howard, Delle Donne and Myisha Hines-Allen upfront for the Mystics could be a lethal line-up for opponents.
#2. Indiana Fever – NaLyssa Smith, 6’2″ PF, Baylor
The Fever once again got robbed of getting the #1 pick again. However, landing the #2 pick isn’t all that bad. The 2022 draft class is much deeper than 2021. Having a 50% shot at either Howard or Smith gives the Fever a legit, long-term franchise player to build around. Smith going to the Fever will give opposing teams headaches playing alongside Teaira McCowan. Currently fourth in the NCAA in rebounds (12.6 per game), Smith is also averaging 20.4 ppg on 56.4% shooting.
NaLyssa’s game is comparable to the Liberty’s Natasha Howard. If she can develop her outside shot, she has the potential to be a longtime All-Star in the league. Of course, after last year’s draft, Fever GM Tamika Catchings may throw everyone a curveball and make a selection out of nowhere.
#3. Atlanta Dream – Ashley Joens, 6’0″ SF, Iowa State
The Dream, essentially, have a wide open roster to fill. They’ve released Courtney Williams and Crystal Bradford from the team and have the biggest holes to fill on the perimeter. Cheyenne Parker and Tianna Hawkins are under contract and I’d expect them to bring back Monique Billings. Insert Joens and the Dream get an immediate offensive boost. Joens is currently averaging 20.4 ppg while shooting 37.7% from three point range. A potential young, quick backcourt trio of Chennedy Carter, Aari McDonald and Joens would be a handful to try and defend. Joens is also a solid defender but might have difficulty going up against the bigger and more established wings in the league.
#4. Dallas Wings – Destanni Henderson, 5’8″ PG, South Carolina
Probably the first surprise here. The Wings have a full roster already and them trading this pick, the no. 4 overall, or nearly any player wouldn’t nor shouldn’t shock anybody. However, at this point I see them drafting based on need. The Moriah Jefferson experiment is on its final year (bearing a trade) and the Wings’ biggest hole is at point guard.
Allowing Arike Ogunbowale or even Marina Mabrey to run ball handling duties should only be in small spurts. Insert Destanni Henderson, an absolute pesky defender and all-around dynamic floor general. Henderson wouldn’t be relied upon to do much scoring under Vickie Johnson’s system. She’s currently averaging 5.3 assists per game to go with 2 steals per game on 11.5 ppg at South Carolina. Allowing Ogunbowale to play more off-the-ball and have Henderson facilitate the floor would be a key to the Wings success.
#5. New York Liberty – Shakira Austin, 6’5″ C, Ole Miss
New Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello has experience coaching one of the best post players during her eight year run in Phoenix. The five-out system ran last year under Walt Hopkins seemed to hurt New York more than helped. Adding Austin, the best remaining post player, would allow Howard the ability to flex her offensive game outside of the paint. Austin’s numbers are slightly down from last season, but she’s still a force inside, bringing in 13.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 2 blocks per game. Austin’s ceiling remains high and has the ability to shoot the three ball and attack her opponents off the ball.
#6. Dallas Wings – Nyara Sabally, 6’3″ PF, Oregon (Redshirt junior)
Sabally has only played in four games this season due to injury and would have to declare herself as an early entrant. This is where the Wings, with an already crowded roster, would benefit from drafting Sabally. Using this pick as essentially a deferral pick would retain Sabally’s rights for 2023 and beyond.
Having her drafted by her sister’s team is also enticing. When healthy, her upside is very high. A legit offensive force inside capable of finding her shot from in the paint, from 15 feet or outside the arc. In 2020-21, she shot 54.7% from the field, 57.1% from deep while grabbing 7.3 rpg. Drafting her could be worth it long-term for Dallas, pairing the Sabally sisters together along with Ogunbowale, Mabrey, Charlie Collier and Awak Kuier.
#7. Chicago Sky – Rae Burrell, 6’1″ SF, Tennessee
The Sky are in a similar situation like the Washington Mystics. Too many free agents, not enough cap space and their 2021 championship roster will have to change for 2022. Depending who they bring back will determine who they pick. At this point, with an aging Allie Quigley and needing a suitable back-up for Finals MVP Kahleah Copper (who’s a restricted free agent), Tennessee’s Burrell is the best fit for the team here at the seventh pick.
Though injured for most of this season, Burrell’s ability to play multiple positions would be a great asset for the Sky to try and repeat as champions. In 2020-2021, she averaged 16.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg while shooting 45.8% from the field and 40.2% from deep. Immediate offense to compliment Courtney Vandersloot’s up tempo style of running the floor. A solid addition as well to pair with Candace Parker to give the Sky a bigger line-up with Burrell at the three, Copper at the two with Parker and Azura Stevens inside.
#8. Minnesota Lynx – Naz Hillmon, 6’2″ PF, Michigan
The Lynx have an immediate need for a post player with Napheesa Collier likely missing the entire 2022 season due to pregnancy. Even if the Lynx get Sylvia Fowles to return for another season, adding depth to their post rotation turns the Lynx back into contenders for 2022. Hillmon brings that back-to-the-basket type of player for Cheryl Reeve. The Michigan Wolverine is also a solid passer for someone her size averaging over 2 assists per game. Hillmon has the potential to go higher but can be a bit slow against teams that run a more up tempo system. Having her learn from one of the best post players the league has seem could be a major asset for Minnesota.
#9. Seattle Storm – Evina Westbrook, 6’0″ SG, UConn
The Storm could have a large vacancy on their roster if unrestricted free agent Jewell Loyd opts to sign elsewhere. There’s also the question on if Sue Bird returns for one more season, if they re-sign Jordin Canada and how much Epiphany Prince has left. Adding a combo guard like Westbrook would be a needed piece to their depth for 2022. The veteran at UConn, Westbrook has an all-around game suited for the WNBA. A Covid pause hasn’t seen UConn play since December 19. However, through nine games, Westbrook averaged 10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.4 spg.
Her shooting has dropped throughout the season with percentages of just 38.7% from the field and 30.3% from deep. If Bird retires and Canada goes elsewhere via free agency, the Storm could be making some trades to acquire a veteran point guard to take over the reigns. This would likely involve trading this pick as well as one of their several second round picks.
#10. Indiana Fever – Nia Clouden, 5’8″ PG, Michigan State
With the Fever taking Smith with the second pick, they now need to look at filling a need at point guard, and Clouden fills the void. There’s an uncertainty if Julie Allemand returns, Danielle Robinson is in her final year on her contract and Lindsay Allen is a suitable backup at best. Clouden’s offensive game is similar to Copper for the Sky and her passing ability tends to resemble the Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray. Areas needing work at the next level are her three point shooting and cutting back on her turnovers.
#11. Las Vegas – Ayoka Lee, 6’6″ C, Kansas State
Lee would be another early entrant for this draft. Her upside is tremendous and has the potential to be the most dominant post player in this draft. Her skill set to work out of double teams is undeniable. Lee is currently averaging a double-double with 23.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg. Meanwhile, she’s been shooting 58.5% from the field and bringing in 3.6 blocks per game. Lee is the clear pick her due to Liz Cambage’s future in Las Vegas unclear and no depth in the post. Overall, a legit force inside who’s only concern for drafting purposes is her long-term commitment to basketball.
#12. Connecticut Sun – Sika Kone, 6’3″ PF, Mali
Kone is the ultimate wrench for this draft. Most, if any, GMs likely haven’t seen her in person. A team like Connecticut can take a chance on a 20 year-old prospect. With Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones inside already, Curt Miller can take a chance on the young foreigner. Though not much of a shooter, Kone is a slasher to the basket and a solid rebounder. A strong defender as well while playing in Spain currently. She’s currently averaging 14.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg playing for Gran Canaria overseas.
Second Round
#13. Minnesota – Veronica Burton, 5’9″ PG, Northwestern
#14. Atlanta – Lorela Cubaj, 6’4″ PF, Georgia Tech
#15. Los Angeles – Christyn Williams, 5’11” SG, UCONN
#16. Los Angeles – Emily Engstler, 6’1″ SF, Louisville
#17. Seattle – Elissa Cunane, 6’5″ C, NC State
#18. Seattle – Jade Melbourne, 5’10” PG, Australia
#19. Los Angeles – Anastasia Hayes, 5’7″ PG, Mississippi
#20. Phoenix -Monika Czinano, 6’3″ PF/C, Iowa
#21. Seattle – Bethy Mununga, 6’0″ SF, South Florida
#22. Minnesota – Jasmine Dickey, 5’10” SG, Delaware
#23. Las Vegas – Cierra Hooks, 5’8″ SG, Ohio
#24. Connecticut – Mya Hollingshed, 6’3″ SF/PF, Colorado
Potential third round picks: Taylor Robertson, Oklahoma; Myah Taylor, Mississippi State; Erica Johnson, Ohio; Dorka Juhasz, UCONN; Ilmar’l Thomas, UCLA; Andra Espinoza-Hunter, Seton Hall; Lexie Hull, Stanford Vivian Gray, Texas Tech; Jenna Staiti, Georgia; Nancy Mulkey, Washington.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for future 2022 WNBA Mock Draft editions. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.
