The WNBA held its draft lottery for the upcoming 2025 draft on Sunday, Nov. 17. The four teams eyeing the top pick were the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, and the Washington Mystics. The odds of landing the top overall pick are based on each team’s combined record from the past two seasons. The Wings came through despite the odds and will get their first-ever number-one pick. The remaining draft lottery saw the Sparks at number two, the Sky picking third, and the Mystics landing the fourth pick.
“With a cumulative record of 25-55, the Sparks will have the most assigned combinations (442 out of 1,000) and are guaranteed at least the third pick. Dallas and Chicago, each of whom posted a combined record of 31-49 over the past two seasons, will each have 227 chances out of 1,000. Additionally, as a result of a February 2023 trade, Dallas has the right to swap first-round picks with Chicago, which it will exercise if Chicago’s first-round pick is above Dallas’ first-round pick after the drawing.“
For the first time since 2017, the Indiana Fever does not appear in the draft lottery. The Fever previously had back-to-back number-one picks with Caitlin Clark in 2024 and Aliyah Boston in 2023. Other previous lottery picks for Indiana were NaLyssa Smith (#2 in 2022), Kysre Gondrezick (#4 in 2021), Lauren Cox (#3 in 2020), Teaira McCowan (#3 in 2019), and Kelsey Mitchell (#2 in 2018).
FIRST ROUND:
1. Dallas Wings – Paige Bueckers, 6’0” PG, UCONN
Bueckers’s staying healthy will guarantee her going first overall to Dallas. She is a 6-foot point guard who can also play off the ball and defend. A former National Player of the Year, Bueckers will give the Wings a dangerous backcourt alongside Arike Ogunbowale. Additionally, landing Bueckers should also entice free agent Satou Sabally to stay with the Wings.
2. Los Angeles Sparks – Kiki Ifiaren, 6’3” PF, USC
Sparks need a lot of help in general. Depth in the backcourt appears the biggest need. However, USC’s Kiki Ifiaren looks to be the second-best player in this draft class. A potential post-tandem paired next to Cameron Brink would be a tough assignment defensively. Furthermore, the arrival of PG Julie Allemand paired with Lexie Brown and Dearica Hamby in the starting line-up doesn’t look all that bad.
3. Chicago Sky – Aneesha Morrow, 6’1” SF, LSU
Morrow going to the Sky would pair her up with her former teammate, Angel Reese. A big line-up alongside Reese and Elizabeth Williams would make a rebounding machine in Chicago. The Sky also needs to improve their depth off of the bench. They might benefit more with a point guard at this selection unless Chennedy Carter slides over to the role full-time.
4. Washington Mystics – Olivia Miles, 5’10” PG, Notre Dame
The Mystics had a glaring need at point guard last season. Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles would be the best available for Washington here. Her skill set and versatility enable her to excel in multiple areas. Washington hasn’t had a solid point guard on their roster since Natasha Cloud left for Phoenix in 2024.
5. Golden State Valkyries – Janiah Barker, 6’4” PF, UCLA^
Barker is draft-eligible as a junior because she turns 22 in 2025. After USC’s Ifiaren, Barker appears as the second-best post option in this draft. At 6-foot-4, Barker can play more like a wing while creating her own shot and running the floor.
6. Washington Mystics – Dominique Malonga, 6’6” C, France
Malonga is the ultimate wrench in this year’s draft. Soon to turn 19 years old, Malonga’s play resembles the likes of Ezi Magbegor or Temi Fagbenle. Like most foreigners, it is currently uncertain if she would immediately show up and play in the WNBA. However, with the Mystics with the fourth overall pick, it could be worth to draft Malonga here and have her show up next season. Finally, Malonga’s international experience on the silver medal-winning Olympic team would prove a valuable experience in the league.
7. New York Liberty – Te-Hina Paopao, 5’9” PG, South Carolina
The Liberty’s biggest need this offseason would be a backup point guard assuming Sabrina Ionescu stays as their lead guard in 2025. South Carolina’s Paopao also has the ability to play either guard position. A legit three-point threat as well saw her shooting 46.8% from deep in the 2023-24 season. The addition of Paopao will be much needed if free agent Courtney Vandersloot doesn’t return and opts to retire instead.
8. Indiana Fever – Sonia Citron, 6’1” SG/SF, Notre Dame
Citron’s landing with the Fever could give them that versatile wing that was lacking in 2024. A strong three-point threat. Citron is also a strong rebounder and can defend well on the perimeter. Any potential pressure taken off of Caitlin Clark or Kelsey Mitchell would be welcomed by the new head coach, Stephanie White.
9. Seattle Storm – Shyanne Sellers, 6’2” PG, Maryland
The Storm needs some added depth for 2025. They face a lot of questionable free-agent decision about who will return next season. Nika Mühl saw limited playing time in her rookie season and Seattle may want an upgrade at point guard. Sellers give the Storm a more defensive-minded point guard who can also attack the paint and rebound.
10. Chicago Sky – Azzi Fudd, 5’11” SG, UCONN^
Fudd has faced an injury-laden career. Fudd played 25 games as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore, and just two last year before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. However, her offensive potential is limitless. Fudd could also return for another at UCONN if she exercises her last year of eligibility.
11. Minnesota Lynx – Ajsa Sivka, 6’4″ PF, Slovenia
Sivka is 6’4″ but having the skill set of a shooting guard is a tremendous upside. Sivka may be one of the best pure shooters in this draft. She has also excelled at the FIBA youth tournaments. Adding Sivka to the Lynx deep bench could be the necessary asset to reach that championship goal in 2025.
12. Phoenix Mercury – Laila Phelia, 6’0” SG, Texas
Phoenix may have a lot of roster openings in 2025 depending if Diana Taurasi retires or not. The Mercury likely looking for the best available here since Phoenix has the twelfth overall pick. Phelia’s a strong offensive player that can shoot from multiple areas. The lack of a three-point shot and the Mercury’s potential need for a post player instead could drop Phelia into the second round.
SECOND ROUND:
13. Los Angeles Sparks – Maddy Westbeld, 6’3” PF, Notre Dame
14. Dallas Wings – Raven Johnson, 5’9” PG, South Carolina^
15. Minnesota Lynx – Ja’Naiya “JJ” Quinerly, 5’8” SG, West Virginia
16. Las Vegas Aces – Makayla Timpson, 6’2” C/PF, Florida
17. Golden State Valkyries – Saniya Rivers, 6’1” SF, NC State
18. Atlanta Dream – Emily Ryan, 5’11” PG, Iowa State
19. Phoenix Mercury – Ayoka Lee, 6’6” C, Kansas State
20. Indiana Fever – Annika Soltau, 6’4″ PF, Germany
21. Seattle Storm – Deyona Gaston, 6’2″ PF, Auburn
22. Las Vegas Aces – Rori Harmon, 5’6” PG, Texas
23. Washington Mystics – Aziaha James, 5’9” SG, NC State
24. Minnesota Lynx – Georgia Amoore, 5’6” PG, Kentucky
25. Connecticut Sun – Maddie Scherr, 5’10” SG, TCU
THIRD ROUND:
26. Los Angeles Sparks – Yvonne Ejim, 6’1” SF, Gonzaga
27. Dallas Wings – Gianna Kneepkens, 6’0” SG, Utah
28. Los Angeles Sparks – Lucy Olsen, 5’9” SG, Iowa
29. Seattle Storm – Liatu King, 6’0” SF, Notre Dame
30. Golden State Valkyries – Hailey Van Lith, 5’7” PG/SG, TCU
31. Dallas Wings – Anastasiia Kosu, 6’1″ SF, Russia
32. Washington Mystics – Sarah Andrews, 5’6″ PG, Baylor
33. Indiana Fever – Ally Becki, 5’8″ PG, Ball St.
34. Seattle Storm – Charlisse Leger-Walker, 5’10” PG/SG, UCLA
35. Las Vegas Aces – Destiny Adams, 6’3″ PF, Rutgers
36. Atlanta Dream – Sedona Prince, 6’7” C, TCU
37. Minnesota Lynx – Debora Dos Santos, 6’0” PF, San Francisco
38. New York Liberty – Amari Wright, 5’9″ PG, Seton Hall
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The way that Miles has been shooting this year, I expect her to move up the draft board and wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Bueckers and Miles go 1-2 in the draft. If that happens, it will be interesting to see what Chicago does at 3, since Iriafen is probably the best prospect, but they really don’t need another post so much as they need someone who can shoot from outside. With the loss of Vanloo in the expansion draft and the dearth of free agents to go after at the PG spot, I also expect Washington to use one of their picks on a lead guard prospect—perhaps Paopao moves up in the draft from the 7th spot.