The bulk of WNBA free agency is all but over. The majority of available top talent has signed deals and now teams can aim their focus on the WNBA draft. A few draft picks have been dealt since version 1.0, which has also altered some movement. Big name free agents like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and A’ja Wilson ended up re-signing with their respective teams. However, Stefanie Dolson (New York), Courtney Williams (Connecticut) and Tina Charles (Phoenix), among others, have gone on to sign deals with new teams. In addition, an NCAA season appears to be moving forward with fewer and fewer cancellations as WNBA coaches and general managers have been scouting top talent.
First Round
#1. Washington Mystics – Rhyne Howard, 6’2 SF, Kentucky
Howard remains the Mystics’ pick here. With a supposedly healthy Elena Delle Donne re-signing Myisha Hines-Allen and bringing back Tianna Hawkins, drafting Howard is more likely now. Howard’s numbers remain consistent. She is averaging 20.4 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. Furthermore, she’s put up a double-double in five of her previous six games. Howard’s ability to create her own shot while paired next to Delle Donne will be a handful defensively for opponents. She’s not shy of shooting from long range, either (32.1%) or to attack the paint. An incredible passer as well for someone her size. Her range enables her to play multiple positions and I can see the Mystics go small with her at power forward or even with a big line-up, sliding her over to shooting guard and Delle Donne at small forward.
#2. Indiana Fever – NaLyssa Smith, 6’2 PF, Baylor
If not for the Mystics bringing in who they did through free agency, Smith might be the No. 1 overall pick here. Smith has continued to dominate the post this season. She is averaging 20.8 ppg, 11.4 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. An absolute force inside the paint who’s perfected the art of playing with her back to the basket. She can also drive into the lane and has seen her mid-range jumper improve through the season. Smith paired alongside Teaira McCowan would be a nightmare for teams that thrive on their inside game. Still, a relatively young team, Bria Hartley’s addition and Jantel Lavender’s return should propel the Fever towards a better record this season.
#3. Atlanta Dream – Shakira Austin, 6’5 C, Ole Miss
Austin’s numbers have dipped slightly recently. She struggled against LSU on Feb. 7 and Jan. 30 against Jenna Staiti’s Georgia. Foul trouble seems to derail her typically. But she stood out against Kentucky (24 points and 8 rebounds) and pulled down a double-double against Mississippi State on Jan. 16. The Dream haven’t made much of a splash in free agency, especially in the post. Adding Austin to their rotation and securing her for the future is something new head coach Tanisha Wright can’t pass on.
#4. Dallas Wings – Ashley Joens, 6’0 SF, Iowa State
The team that made the very minimalist movement in free agency faces the fourth overall pick on an already crowded roster. A point guard would work best but to pass on Iowa State’s Ashley Joens is too tempting here. The best pure shooter in this draft, Joens is averaging 19.4 ppg on 43 percent shooting and 35.7 percent from three. Joens is a legit rebounder (9.1 per game) and handles the ball fairly well (2.3 assists per game) more than just a shooter. Perhaps the Wings clear some roster space through a trade or two. However, Joens riding the end of the bench would seem all too familiar to Wings’ fans. Last year’s top two picks, Charli Collier and Awak Kuier saw little in terms of minutes. Would the Wings benefit from trading this pick or one of their many young contracts to a team facing salary cap issues? The WNBA draft is nearly two months away.
#5. New York Liberty – Lorela Cubaj, 6’4 PF/C, Georgia Tech
The Liberty finally added depth to their post-rotation by signing Stefanie Dolson to a two-year contract. Looming still would be adding a fourth post to their rotation. A plethora of wings still crowd their roster, which should point new head coach Sandy Brondello to drafting a post player. Here’s where Georgia Tech’s Lorela Cubaj fits in best. Cubaj can control the paint. She makes the art of rebounding look easy. Defensively, she’s tough to get by. Her offensive games needs work at the next level. Coming in to a Liberty team with plenty of offensive weapons wouldn’t be an issue here. If Cubaj can develop her game playing alongside Natasha Howard and Dolson she could end up the steal of the draft.
#6. Dallas Wings – Naz Hillmon, 6’2 PF, Michigan
Flip a coin with who the Dallas Wings take here. Best available? Point guard depth? Since Collier and Kuier saw limited playing time during their rookie year it might be best to draft another post with the sixth pick. Michigan’s Naz Hillmon brings a different type of post-game than either Collier or Kuier. Certainly a higher post-up game than Collier and a better defensive game than Kuier. How does coach Vickie Johnson manage the minutes? Who’s the early cut or who gets traded? At this moment I have the Wings taking the best available. Let’s see if the Wings make any moves before the draft.
#7. Indiana Fever – Nia Clouden, 5’8 PG, Michigan State
With NaLyssa Smith added, it’s best for the Fever to look to add depth to the point guard position. Already signed are Danielle Robinson and Lindsay Allen and newly acquired Hartley. However, none are under contract past this season. Also, Julie Allemand was a part of the Hartley trade that sent her to Chicago. Nia Clouden could work out as the Fever’s future lead guard. A dynamic all-around player, Clouden can score from all areas on the floor, distribute the ball well and crash the boards. Her weakness is on her defensive side and may be seen as too similar to Kelsey Mitchell. Regardless, the Fever should continue to look beyond their current season and see what 2023 and beyond may forecast.
#8. Minnesota Lynx – Elissa Cunane, 6’5 C, NC State
Lynx may already have a stacked roster. The addition of Angel McCoughtry and re-signing Sylvia Fowles, Layshia Clarendon and Rachel Banham will make it tough for their pick to crack the roster. Salary cap issues may benefit their pick and adding a post appears likely. Elissa Cunane has had her ups and downs this season. Just six double-doubles this season, but Cunane has proven to be a force in rebounding (7.9 per game) and a solid shooter from inside the paint. With Fowles announcing her farewell season, Cunane could be a project for the future for Minnesota.
#9. Los Angeles Sparks – Kiersten Bell, 6’1 SF, Florida Gulf Coast
The Sparks have made several moves via free agency. Adding in Jordin Canada and trading for Chennedy Carter locks them in at the guard positions. Potentially adding in Liz Cambage as well gives the Sparks a stacked roster.
Potentially adding in a player like Kiersten Bell could be an asset for Los Angeles long term. Bell suffered a torn meniscus a few days after declaring for the draft. A menace to guard, Bell’s ability to drive to the basket and her quick first step can be a handful. With a majority of their veteran players only signed through this season, even if Bell is unable to play this year, it could enable the Sparks to hold her rights for 2023. Looking towards the future, the Sparks can potentially rebuild their franchise around Carter and Bell.
#10. Indiana Fever – Rae Burrell, 6’1 SF, Tennessee
Burrell was sidelined for the early part of the NCAA season. Since her return on Jan. 2, Burrell has remained mostly consistent. In her past seven games, she’s averaged 12.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg despite limited minutes. After their selections of Smith and Clouden, drafting a wing with this pick is the best fit for this Fever team. Her shot selection needs improvement as well as an outside shot. With a handful of guards already penciled in to their roster, Burrell’s selection at the tenth overall pick appears best for Indiana.
#11. Las Vegas Aces – Nyara Sabally, 6’3 PF/C, Oregon (Redshirt junior)
Sabally entering the draft as an early entrant is still to be determined. However, with Ayoka Lee opting not to enter and the uncertainty of Jessika Carter, it would greatly benefit Nyara to enter in what looks like a draft short of solid post players. With Liz not returning to Vegas, their need is mostly in the post and Sabally fits best into Hammon’s style. A legit post who has a nice 15-foot shot and can slash to the basket. A solid complement to play alongside Wilson at center or next to Stokes at power forward. Currently averaging 15.9 ppg on 55.5 percent shooting for Sabally. A weakness to her game is in her rebounding and her outside shooting.
#12. Connecticut Sun – Sika Kone, 6’3 PF, Mali
Kone remains Connecticut’s pick here. A chance Curt Miller can take after bringing back Courtney Williams in free agency. Kone appears willing to come over this season and the Sun have an opening for a flex forward on their roster. In their recent World Cup qualifier against France, Kone dropped 26 points on 10-10 shooting, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. Can the 19-year old adapt to the more physical play in the WNBA? If Kone continues to shine during the qualifiers, expect other teams to notice and she’ll be more likely to get picked higher.
Second Round
#13. Minnesota – Destanni Henderson, 5’8 PG, South Carolina
A solid point guard to develop beyond 2022. Averaging 10.9 ppg and 4.4 apg, Henderson needs to add a defensive side to her game.
#14. Atlanta – Jasmine Dickey, 5’10 SG, Delaware
Currently second in the NCAA in scoring (25.4 ppg). She is a legit scorer with an all-around range. Dickey dropped 52 points against Charleston on Feb. 4. Needs to work on her turnovers and defense.
#15. Atlanta – Monika Czinano, 6’3 PF, Iowa
Solid post presence inside and good at controlling the paint and shooting 65.4 percent from the field. Lacks an outside shot and can get easily out-rebounded.
#16. Los Angeles – Emily Engstler, 6’1 SF, Louisville
One of the best available defensive players. Averaging 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. Could go higher but her offensive game needs work.
#17. Seattle – Cierra Hooks, 5’8 SG, Ohio
Much needed younger guard to an aging backcourt. “Cece” is fourth in the NCAA in scoring (23.4 ppg) and tenth in steals (3.1 spg). A mid-major prospect yet to play a top opponent.
#18. Seattle – Jade Melbourne, 5’10 PG, Australia
Deferral pick. Melbourne could be held on to for 2023 when the majority of Seattle’s backcourt is retired.
#19. Los Angeles – Jenna Staiti, 6’4 C, Georgia
Training camp competition. Averaging 15.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Conditioning needs improvement.
#20. Indiana – Maya Dodson, 6’3 PF, Notre Dame
Post player that has seen her stock rise the most recently. Shot selection needs improvement as well as her defense.
#21. Seattle – Olivia Nelson-Ododa, 6’5 C, UCONN
Gives Seattle another big post. Strong defender that’s seen her offensive game improve. Can be out-worked against stronger centers.
#22. Minnesota – Queen Egbo, 6’3 C, Baylor
Averaging 10.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 1.6 blocks per game. Needs to look for her shot more often and improve her long-range shooting.
#23. Las Vegas – Taylor Robertson, 5’11 SG, Oklahoma
Solid scoring option and three-point threat. Not as quick as opposing defenders and can be out of control when driving into the lane.
#24. Connecticut – Veronica Burton, 5’9 PG, Northwestern
Training camp competition. She is a legit ball handler that needs to work on their turnovers and outside shot. She could go higher if a team wants a point guard to develop.
Third Round
#25. Indiana – Ali Patberg, 5’11 PG, Indiana
#26. Phoenix – Bethy Mununga, 6’0 SF, South Florida
#27. Los Angeles – Myah Taylor, 5’7 PG, Mississippi State
#28. Minnesota – Eden Zipel, 6’0 SF, Israel
#29. New York – Khayla Pointer, 5’7 PG, LSU
#30. Dallas – Jordan Lewis, 5’7 PG, Baylor
#31. Dallas – Reka Dombai, 5’11 SG, Hungary
#32. Phoenix – Brooke Flowers, 6’5 C, Saint Louis
#33. Seattle – Evina Westbrook, 6’0 SG, UCONN
#34. Indiana – Serena Kessler, 6’0 SG/SF, France
#35. Las Vegas – Nancy Mulkey, 6’9 C, Washington
#36. Connecticut – Mya Hollingshed, 6’3 SF, Colorado
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for future 2022 WNBA Mock Draft editions. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.
