Dallas Wings Secure Top Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft, Aiming for Championship Contention
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the Dallas Wings will once again have the first selection in the upcoming WNBA draft, marking the second consecutive year the franchise holds the coveted top spot. After winning the draft lottery on Sunday, the Wings are poised to make another impactful addition to their roster on April 13th, building on a foundation that includes reigning Rookie of the Year, Paige Bueckers.
The Wings, who previously selected UConn standout Paige Bueckers in the 2025 draft, entered the lottery with the best odds at 42% thanks to a 19-65 cumulative record over the past two WNBA regular seasons.This success comes as the franchise looks to solidify its position as a contender after consistently finding itself near the bottom of the league standings.
Building Through the Draft
The team’s lottery representative, Dallas forward Maddy Siegrist, expressed the team’s focus: “[We want] someone who wants to win.” She highlighted the strong team chemistry and excitement surrounding the prospect of adding another promising player to their core.
Despite Bueckers’ notable rookie campaign — earning both Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team — the Wings were unable to secure a playoff berth in 2025, finishing with a league-worst record of 10-34. Over the last five years, only the Indiana Fever have accumulated more lottery picks than Dallas, demonstrating a consistent strategy of building through the draft. Currently, Bueckers and Siegrist are the only lottery selections actively playing for the team.
Did you know? The Dallas wings are only the second franchise in WNBA history to secure the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive drafts, joining the Connecticut Sun (2001-2002).
Lottery Results and Expansion Outlook
This year’s lottery marked the first time since 2010 that five teams were eligible for the top picks. Following the Wings, the Minnesota Lynx will select second, and the Seattle Storm will pick third. The Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky round out the top five, selecting at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively.
Seattle Storm general manager talisa Rhea expressed optimism about their position, stating, “I think top three, especially in this draft, is going to be a great player for us… I think thereS good depth and there’s good top-level talent in this draft.â€
Looking ahead, the 2026 season will also welcome two new expansion franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. These teams will select sixth and seventh though the order of their selections remains to be persistent. The expansion draft rules are currently under negotiation as part of ongoing Collective Bargaining agreement (CBA) talks, with the current CBA set to expire on November 30th.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on the CBA negotiations,as the expansion draft rules could substantially impact team rosters and the overall league landscape.
Draft Prospects and Roster dynamics
UConn’s Azzi Fudd is currently projected as the No. 1 overall pick, followed by Spain’s Awa Fam at No. 2, according to the latest ESPN mock draft. TCU’s Olivia Miles, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson are also expected to be selected within the lottery.
The Wings currently have five players under contract — Bueckers, Siegrist, Diamond Miller, Aziaha James, and JJ quinerly — while several key players, including Arike Ogunbowale, Li Yueru, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Tyasha Harris, are entering free agency. The team has also made a coaching change, bringing in Jose Fernandez to replace Chris Koclanes after just one season.
Siegrist emphasized the positive momentum surrounding the franchise, stating, “There are so many exciting things going around Dallas… a new coach… the practice facility… a couple of top picks the last few years. We’re just super excited to bring in another top prospect.â€
Reader question: With Arike Ogunbowale entering free agency, how will the Wings prioritize re-signing her versus using their cap space to address other needs?
The complete first-round draft order is as follows: 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.
