Which Prospects Are Perfect Fits for Each WNBA Lottery Team?

We are a few months away from the 2026 WNBA Draft and this year’s class is loaded with talent.

Unlike Caitlin Clark in 2024 or Paige Bueckers in 2025, the 2026 draft class is not headlined by one singular superstar whose on-court talent and off-court notoriety seemingly transcends the world of women’s basketball. However, the wealth of talent is still there.

In 2026, the WNBA’s five lottery teams will have the opportunity to pick from a draft class highlighted by collegiate superstars, such as Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts, and an eye-opening international prospect out of Spain, Awa Fam.

As is always the case during any draft season, there are a multitude of questions that these highly qualified decision-makers have to answer.

Which player is truly worthy of being the first pick in the draft? How can this player impact the future of our franchise? Should we draft the best overall player available or the player who is best equipped to thrive in our system? Should we use this pick for a young player or potentially send it elsewhere for a more lucrative, immediate return?

When taking all of these things into consideration, here’s a look at the best possible pairings of lottery teams and lottery players for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Dallas Wings – Awa Fam, C, Spain

At the top of this year’s draft, for the second year in a row, is the Dallas Wings. Last season, they selected Paige Bueckers with the first pick in the draft. Now, in 2026, they have an opportunity to secure their guard-big tandem of the future. There are a lot of questions the Wings need to answer, and their roster needs all the help it can get. However, Dallas’ largest area of need is in the frontcourt.

Need for Frontcourt Size

When you look across the WNBA today, specifically the teams that are consistently towards to top of the food chain, they all have a player in their frontcourt that causes serious issues for their opponents.

Vegas has A’ja Wilson. Minnesota has Napheesa Collier. New York has Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Phoenix has Alyssa Thomas (technically). Indiana has Aliyah Boston.

Even if we look at the up-and-coming teams in the league, they have players who can potentially get to that point. Washington has Kiki Iriafen. Chicago has Angel Reese. Then there’s LA and Seattle that have multiple frontcourt players that fit the bill. LA has Cam Brink, Dearica Hamby, and Azura Stevens. Meanwhile, Seattle has Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and Dominique Malonga.

Dallas has yet to find that player. But in 2026, that could change.

The Spaniard Comes to the Lone Star State

2026 is the perfect time for Awa Fam to enter the WNBA and the Dallas Wings are the perfect team to welcome her with open arms.

Fam’s length, versatility, and mobility will not only provide offensive support for Paige, she will also provide something the Wings haven’t had in quite some time: stability in the frontcourt.

While there may be concerns regarding her ability to be an elite rim protector, the consensus on Fam so far seems to be that her offense is her strength. As a 6-foot-6 big, Fam has shown that she is more than capable of running the floor, finishing at the rim, crashing the boards on offense, and being an exceptional asset in screen actions.

Not only is Awa Fam a perfect for the Wings overall, Awa Fam is the perfect big for Paige Bueckers. Given the fluidity and efficiency of Bueckers’ game as the lead guard in Dallas, she needs to be paired with a player down low who complements her game well.

Imagine how effective Dallas’ screening actions will be in 2026 with Bueckers and Fam. Imagine how much better others on the floor will look when these two young stars are clicking on all cylinders.

If the Wings draft Awa Fam with the first pick in April, they too can find themselves on the Indiana Fever trajectory: from back-to-back picks at the top of the board to being a feisty playoff team and potentially competing for a championship.

Minnesota Lynx – Trade the Pick

In exchange for the 11th pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which turned into Hailey Van Lith, the Lynx acquired Chicago’s pick in this year’s draft, which has turned into the second pick on the board.

Essentially, this pick is a luxury for Minnesota, not a necessity. Given the current construction of Minnesota’s roster and the history of young players under Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx would be better off trading this pick than actually using it.

As it currently stands, the Minnesota Lynx have arguably the best roster in the WNBA. Headlined by 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Napheesa Collier, the Lynx feature Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, two All-Stars from last season, and the 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Alanna Smith.

Additionally, Minnesota saw valuable production last season from key rotational players such as DiJonai Carrington, Jessica Shepard, Bridget Carleton, and Natisha Hiedeman. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Lynx boast one of the better rosters in the WNBA. After all, there’s a reason why they’ve won four titles in their franchise’s history. Because of this, it is rare that young players are given much opportunity on the floor under Cheryl Reeve.

Lynx Don’t Usually Run Their Rookies

Since drafting Napheesa Collier with the sixth pick back in 2019, the Lynx have selected five players in the first round of the WNBA Draft. Of these five players, only two averaged at double-digit minutes under Reeve their rookie season: Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (2020) and Diamond Miller (2023). While we have seen Crystal Dangerfield (2020 2nd Round) and Dorka Juhász (2023 2nd Round), these are the only two players outside of the second round that made substantial contributions to the Lynx early in their careers.

Now, one might take a look at the two players that are most likely to be selected at this spot and feel they could be outliers, which is fair.

Assuming Dallas drafts Awa Fam at the top of the board, Azzi Fudd (G, UConn) and Lauren Betts (C, UCLA) are both more than capable of being players that can make an impact right away in Minnesota. After all, we are talking about two players who have been in conversations amongst the best players in the country over the last two seasons.

Nevertheless, the fact still remains that even if Fudd or Betts are drafted here, one has to wonder if Minnesota values their potential over a proven commodity that may come available if they were to shop the pick rather than use it.

Seattle Storm – Olivia Miles, PG, TCU

In 2024, the Storm missed out on the top pick in the draft lottery and opted to trade their lottery pick to the Sparks rather than use it. That pick turned into Rickea Jackson.

In 2025, the Storm acquired the second overall pick in the draft as a result of the massive three-team trade that saw Kelsey Plum join the Sparks and Jewell Loyd to join the Aces.

With Paige Bueckers off the board, the Storm used that pick to select Dominique Malonga. Now, two years after their initial trade with LA, the Storm have an opportunity to finally secure their next franchise point guard.

Luckily for Seattle, the player they were likely going to pick after Paige last season will most likely be available for them here.

Interestingly enough, the Storm find themselves in the exact opposite situation as the Wings. The Wings need a big to pair with Paige Bueckers. On the other hand, the Storm need a lead guard to pair with their frontcourt trio of Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and Dominique Malonga.

Insert Olivia Miles.

Miles Makes Magic Happen

Miles enters the 2026 WNBA Draft, far and away, as the best point guard of the group. Her dynamic play style is highlighted by her elite passing ability. Her vision, decision making, and ability to control the pace of the game makes her the perfect point guard for a Seattle offense that often looked like it lacked direction last season.

The best part about a potential Olivia Miles selection for Seattle is that the Storm can arguably put her in the best position to succeed with the least amount of pressure.

Unlike in Minnesota, for instance, Olivia Miles would see the floor early and often. In Chicago, Olivia would get playing time, but being paired with Angel Reese could put her in unavoidable tense situations as she continues to grow and develop in her rookie season.

Seattle will not only be able to provide a mostly-pressure-free first year for Olivia, but she would be able to play alongside one of the all-time greats in Ogwumike while simultaneously building chemistry with Malonga and Magbegor. It’s a winning situation for all parties involved.

Washington Mystics – Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

Last season, the Mystics had three of the first six picks in the WNBA Draft. With those picks, they selected Sonia Citron (No. 3 overall, G, Notre Dame), Kiki Iriafen (No. 4 overall, F, USC), and Georgia Amoore (No. 6 overall, PG, Kentucky).

While Amoore suffered an ACL injury that kept her from seeing the floor last season, Citron and Iriafen proved to be the perfect duo in Washington, setting numerous franchise records and giving Mystics fans plenty of reasons to hope for the future.

Assuming there are no major setbacks, Amoore is expected to make her WNBA debut next season and the possibilities are endless once she joins the fold. In case that wasn’t enough hope, the Mystics once again have three picks in this year’s first round, starting with No. 4.

The Mystics have a capable point guard in Amoore, as well as a capable backup in Sug Sutton. They have a two-way wing player in Sonia Citron and two versatile forwards in Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin. They also have a veteran big in Stefanie Dolson who can space the floor and pass out of the post.

If there’s one thing the Mystics are going to continue to prioritize in this year’s draft, it’s brining in a player who doesn’t need the ball in her hands to be effective and can play in the pace and space offense head coach Sydney Johnson loves.

Insert Gianna Kneepkens.

Who Doesn’t Need More Shooters?

Kneepkens enters the WNBA Draft as an elite off-ball scorer that any team would be lucky to have on their team. To make it even better for Washington, she is currently playing alongside two WNBA prospects, Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts, playing in the exact role she would be playing in Washington.

One of the highlights of Kneepkens’ game is her off-ball movement. She is always looking for open space on the perimeter for catch-and-shoot opportunities, as well as making simple cuts to the basket for easy looks up close. Kneepkens is the quintessential plug-and-play player and, in a Mystics system that is built to the strengths of Amoore, Citron, and Iriafen, Kneepkens feels like a no-brainer pick for Washington.

Chicago Sky – Flau’jae Johnson, G, LSU

The Chicago Sky need a point guard. We know this.

However, unless they make a move up in the lottery to acquire Olivia Miles, their best option would be Kiki Rice. While Rice is a capable point guard, and clearly the second-best in this year’s class, it is highly unlikely that Chicago would use such a high-quality draft pick on her.

Instead, the Sky might choose to go a different direction to fill out their roster while they wait for the perfect point guard for their young frontcourt tandem of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. In fact, there might be a reunion on the horizon.

Flau’jae Brings Electricity to the Sky

When you think about Flau’jae Johnson, one of the first things that comes to mind is her energy. She has, without a doubt, one of the highest motors in the country.

That energy on and off the ball is the perfect complete to the high motors of Reese and Cardoso. In addition to this energy, Johnson is also an elite two-way player. On offense, Johnson kills opposing defenses with her quickness, finishing at the rim, and improved shot-making ability.

On defense, Johnson swarms opposing offenses with her on-ball pressure and ability to contest and, in some cases, block shots. This unique combination of quickness and versatility on both sides of the ball will add something to the Chicago Sky offense that was missing last season.

In 2023, Johnson and Reese won a national championship together on an LSU team that was tailored to the strengths of Angel Reese. Fast forward to 2026 and the same reality can ring true.

Under Tyler Marsh last season, we saw Angel Reese expand her game and tap into more of her offensive abilities. Throughout the season, we saw Angel bringing the ball up the floor, initiating the offense both from the top of the key and in the post, and become a more consistent finisher down low.

Meanwhile, Flau’jae has become the face of LSU’s program. She’s blossomed into one of the best players in the country and, as a result, one of the most highly coveted prospects in 2026.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot of talent to love in the 2026 WNBA Draft. There are also plenty of variables to consider.

What if Dallas drafts Azzi first? Or if Minnesota doesn’t trade their pick? What if Chicago tries to go all in on Olivia Miles? Should the Mystics use their pick or try to make a big trade instead? Could we see another team sneak into the lottery with a big trade before April?

While all of these are valid questions, there one thing we simply can’t deny: the WNBA is about to usher in another wave of elite talent that will continue to prove that the game of women’s basketball is a game worth watching.

The post Which Prospects Are Perfect Fits for Each WNBA Lottery Team? appeared first on The Lead.

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