Dallas Wings Get First WNBA Draft Pick for Second Straight Year
The Dallas Wings have secured the first pick in the WNBA draft for the second consecutive year. This historic achievement makes them the fourth franchise in league history to achieve this milestone. The team, which selected UConn’s Paige Bueckers in 2025, won the 2026 WNBA draft lottery on Sunday and will have the first pick on April 13. Luck favored the Wings, who had the best odds (42%) after a combined record of 19-65 in the last two regular seasons.In the previous season, the Wings failed to reach the postseason and finished with the worst record in the league (10-34). Paige Bueckers was named WNBA Rookie of the Year and was also selected for the All-WNBA second team. This year, the draft lottery featured five teams, a fact not seen since 2010. The Minnesota Lynx will select second, followed by the Seattle Storm in third place, the Washington Mystics in fourth, and the Chicago Sky in fifth. Talisa Rhea, general manager of the Storm, expressed her enthusiasm for her team’s position. “I think being in the top three, especially in this draft, will give us a great player. I’m happy to be there. I think there are a handful of really great players who will be able to make an impact on teams immediately, which doesn’t always happen. I think there’s good depth and good top-tier talent in this draft. At the 3rd spot, I really think we’ll get someone who will help us immediately.” In the latest mock draft, UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected to be the first pick, followed by Awa Fam from Spain. TCU’s Olivia Miles, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson round out the rest of the projected lottery picks. The Wings have five players under contract: Bueckers, Siegrist, Diamond Miller, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinerly. Arike Ogunbowale, Li Yueru, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Tyasha Harris are free agents. The team will start the 2026 season with a new coach, Jose Fernandez, after the dismissal of Chris Koclanes after a year.We want someone who wants to win. We have a young and exciting group, and we really bond. I’m excited to bring someone else in.
Maddy Siegrist, Wings player
The 2026 season will also see the addition of two expansion franchises, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. They will select in sixth and seventh place, although the order has not yet been determined. A date for the expansion draft has not yet been set, the rules of which must be collectively bargained. CBA negotiations are ongoing after the players’ union and the league agreed to a one-month extension. The current CBA will expire on November 30. The rest of the first round order is: No. 8 Golden State, No. 9 Washington, No. 10 Indiana, No. 11 Washington, No. 12 Connecticut, No. 13 Atlanta, No. 14 Seattle, No. 15 Connecticut.There are so many exciting things in Dallas. We have a new coach… the practice facilities… a couple of high picks in recent years. We are very excited to bring in another top prospect.
Maddy Siegrist, Wings player
