History Repeats: Dallas Wings Win Second Straight No. 1 Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery

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The Dallas Wings secured the top prize in the WNBA Draft Lottery for the second year in a row on Sunday night, winning the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The outcome gives the franchise an unprecedented opportunity to pair another blue-chip prospect with last year’s top pick, Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, in their push for contention.

The lottery order was determined by the cumulative records of the five non-playoff teams over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The results matched the odds exactly, making for a straightforward final tally:

Pick No.	Team	Notes
1	Dallas Wings	Entered with the best odds (42.0%) based on their 19-65 cumulative record.
2	Minnesota Lynx	Own this pick via trade with the Chicago Sky.
3	Seattle Storm	Own this pick via trade with the Los Angeles Sparks.
4	Washington Mystics	Picked fourth, matching their odds.
5	Chicago Sky	Own this pick via trade with the Connecticut Sun.

The Wings’ Massive Opportunity

The Dallas Wings, who entered the night with the highest percentage chance to win (42.0%), now have back-to-back No. 1 picks for the first time in franchise history. After drafting an elite guard in Paige Bueckers last year, the consensus among experts is that they will look to address their frontcourt need.

The Wings have an ideal prospect to target: Lauren Betts, the 6-foot-7 UCLA center. Betts is a dominant presence in the paint with excellent footwork and rebounding prowess, averaging over 20 points and 9 rebounds as a junior. Pairing her interior dominance with Bueckers’ perimeter brilliance would give Dallas one of the most exciting young duos in the league.

Where the Top Prospects May Land

While this year’s draft class may not feature a singular, can’t-miss prospect like Caitlin Clark or Aliyah Boston, the top of the board is deep and talented, particularly in the guard position.

No. 2: Minnesota Lynx (via Chicago): The Lynx, after receiving this pick via trade, have a clearer need for a dynamic playmaker or a versatile forward. If Betts goes No. 1, they could pivot to a potential international star in Spanish center Awa Fam (6’4″) or the versatile playmaking guard Olivia Miles (TCU), who is known for her triple-double potential.
No. 3: Seattle Storm (via Los Angeles): The Storm, rebuilding after the departure of key veterans, need high-upside scoring. Azzi Fudd, the UConn shooting guard, is often cited here. Known as one of the best shooters in the college game, her selection would give Seattle an immediate offensive threat, provided she can maintain consistency and health at the professional level.
No. 4: Washington Mystics: The Mystics need athletic scoring and two-way guards. LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson is an elite athlete who could thrive in Washington’s system, or they may target a versatile scorer like Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina).

The placement of the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, the league’s two new expansion teams, will be determined by a coin flip for the 6th and 7th overall picks, adding two more exciting variables to the first round before the 2026 WNBA Draft takes place next April.