The Dallas Wings’ choice with the primary general choose within the 2025 WNBA draft — a.ok.a. the “Paige Bueckers Sweepstakes” — on Monday evening in New York basically was sealed in November when luck handed them the highest choose within the draft lottery. Now all however a formality, the consensus prime prospect and newly topped nationwide champion is predicted to don a Wings jersey subsequent season.
Except for that clear-cut choice, the remainder of the primary spherical stays anybody’s guess. As soon as thought-about a deep class, this subject is thinner as a number of of the nation’s prime faculty stars opted to return to campus for profitable title, picture and likeness offers — setting the stage for an intriguing opening spherical.
Regardless of ending with the league’s worst report (8-32), the Sparks narrowly missed out on Bueckers, saddled with the second choose. In flip they traded it to amass All-Star Kelsey Plum, transferring all the way down to ninth general. In addition they are slotted for the twenty first and twenty eighth picks within the three-round draft.
Likewise, the Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury all traded their prime picks in change for upgrades elsewhere. In the meantime, the Las Vegas Aces forfeited their choice due to unauthorized participant advantages and office coverage violations.
For the primary time, the WNBA’s latest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, set its sights on including a cornerstone piece with the fifth choose forward of its inaugural season.
Tips on how to watch
The draft shall be televised on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+ from 4:30 to six:30 p.m. The WNBA additionally can have digital and social media protection on wnba.com and the WNBA app. The night will open with the Orange Carpet runway as draft prospects show their trend kinds, obtainable on ESPN+, whereas a draft countdown present will start at 4 on ESPN.
What to anticipate
USC ahead Kiki Iriafen, celebrating a three-pointer, is predicted to be a top-five choose within the WNBA draft on Monday evening.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Occasions)
After Bueckers goes No. 1, the Seattle Storm are anticipated to pick out French native Dominique Malonga at No. 2. The 6-foot-6 ahead has performed in France’s prime league since she was 15 and averaged 15.4 factors, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists this previous season. The Washington Mystics maintain back-to-back picks at Nos. 3 and 4 and are positioned to take Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron and USC ahead Kiki Iriafen. In addition they have the No. 6 selection. The growth Valkyries will make their inaugural choice, anticipated to be social media sensation and Texas Christian standout Hailey Van Lith, at No. 5.
What the Sparks would possibly do
L.A.’s frontcourt is already set, anchored by veteran All-Star Dearica Hamby and final yr’s first-round investments Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink — who nonetheless is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
That shifts the main focus to the backcourt, the place the Sparks seemingly will purpose to discover a guard to pair with Plum. Whereas Plum has spent most of her profession at taking pictures guard due to her taking pictures and off-ball motion, first-year coach Lynne Roberts’ positionless system alerts a change.
At her introductory press convention, Plum stated she expects to have the ball in her palms extra — a return to the purpose guard position that earned her a spot on the 2024 Olympic group. That transfer hints at L.A.’s priorities within the draft: both a scoring two-guard who enhances Plum or a younger level guard who can be taught behind her, add depth and take over when she slides to taking pictures guard.
By the point L.A. is on the clock at No. 9, a stable pool of choices ought to stay, with the latter half of the primary spherical stuffed with promising level and taking pictures guards able to becoming both position. Among the many names to look at: Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore, an All-Southeastern Convention choice recognized for her elite IQ and playmaking expertise, suits the mildew of a real level guard; South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao, a assured scorer contemporary off a standout Last 4 efficiency, leans extra towards a scoring-focused taking pictures guard; Kansas State’s Serena Sundell, the nation’s chief in assists (7.3 per recreation) and Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers, a three-time All-Massive Ten first-team choice, who’re versatile combo guards.
2025 WNBA draft order
First round1. Dallas 2. Seattle (from Sparks) 3. Washington (from Chicago)4. Washington5. Golden State6. Washington (from Atlanta)7. Connecticut (from Phoenix)8. Connecticut (from Indiana)9. SPARKS (from Seattle)10. Chicago (from Connecticut)11. Minnesota12. Dallas (from New York) [Las Vegas pick forfeited]
Second round13. Las Vegas (from Sparks) 14. Dallas15. Minnesota (from Chicago) 16. Chicago (from Washington)17. Golden State18. Atlanta19. Indiana (from Phoenix)20. Indiana21. SPARKS (from Seattle)22. Chicago (from Las Vegas)23. Washington (from Connecticut)24. Minnesota25. Connecticut (from New York)
Third round26. Seattle (from Sparks)27. Dallas28. Sparks (from Chicago)29. Seattle (from Washington)30. Golden State31. Dallas (from Atlanta)32. Washington (from Phoenix)33. Indiana34. Seattle35. Las Vegas36. Atlanta (from Connecticut)37. Minnesota38. New York
