The conclusion of the 2025 WNBA regular season opens the pathway for teams eyeing the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery, which defines the drafting order for the next season. The exact dates for the draft lottery and subsequent events remain undetermined due to ongoing labor disputes between the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association regarding a new collective bargaining agreement.

This season, the WNBA expanded with its first new team since 2008, the Golden State Valkyries, who made it to the playoffs, marking a significant first for expansion teams.

The teams competing in this year’s lottery include the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics. However, the five teams in the lottery will not necessarily be the ones making the picks.

Lottery Odds: Team Records and Chances

Team	Combined 2024 and 2025 record	Odds of winning No. 1 pick
Wings	19-65	40%
Sky (owe to Lynx)	23-61	25%
Sparks (owe to Storm)	29-55	17%
Mystics	30-54	11%
Sun (owe to Sky)	39-45	7%

Last year, the Wings secured the first pick and selected Paige Bueckers, anticipated to be the unanimous Rookie of the Year. Despite her performance, the season was challenging for Dallas, as injuries plagued players like Arike Ogunbowale.

Moreover, midseason trades were made to bolster future assets, including a deal sending NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces for a first-round pick in 2027 and DiJonai Carrington to the Lynx.

Despite last year’s missteps, the Sky traded their No. 3 pick, which they now owe to the Lynx following a prior observation.

Conclusion

As the teams prepare for the draft, the excitement lies in how the selections will reshape their futures amidst a foundational year for the WNBA.