While basketball fans focus on the Final Four in Phoenix this weekend, the WNBA world eagerly anticipates Monday, April 13th, when the league holds its 2026 draft under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that promises to reshape team rosters across the league.
The newly negotiated CBA between the WNBA and WNBPA arrives alongside the debut of two expansion franchises—the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo—creating 24 additional roster spots plus developmental pool positions. This expansion means more rookies than usual could secure lasting professional opportunities.
"This year could result in more rookies actually staying in the league than have been able to in quite some time," noted one league analyst familiar with the draft projections.
The first overall selection presents a compelling debate between two international prospects. The Dallas Wings hold the top pick and are projected to select UConn guard Azzi Fudd, whose collegiate career demonstrated elite shooting and playmaking abilities.
Fudd's main competition for the top spot comes from Spanish sensation Awa Fam, whom the Minnesota Lynx are predicted to select second overall. The debate between these two prospects has dominated pre-draft discussions among team executives.
While the early first round features relatively clear talent tiers, evaluators note the draft becomes increasingly unpredictable after the midway point of the second round. "Things start to get murkier about midway through round two," the analyst added.
The Seattle Storm hold the third selection and are projected to select TCU's Olivia Miles, followed by the Washington Mystics targeting UCLA center Lauren Betts at number four. The Chicago Sky would then add another UCLA product in guard Kiki Rice at pick five.
Expansion teams make their first appearances in the latter half of the first round, with Toronto projected to select LSU's Flau'jae Johnson at number six and Portland expected to choose South Carolina's Raven Johnson at seven.
The draft's international flavor continues throughout the first round with Spain's Iyana Martin (projected ninth to Washington) and France's Nell Angloma (projected twelfth to Connecticut) among the global talents expected to hear their names called early.
With nearly two weeks remaining until draft night, team strategies remain fluid. "We still have nearly two weeks until the draft takes place, and a lot can change," cautioned one team executive involved in draft preparations.
The complete three-round mock draft projects 45 players finding new homes, including UConn's Serah Williams to Connecticut at 15, Oklahoma's Raegan Beers to Toronto at 22, and Iowa's Hannah Stuelke to Chicago at 32.
As the draft approaches, teams continue to evaluate how the new CBA provisions will affect their selection strategies, particularly with expanded roster spots making later-round picks more valuable than in previous years.
