Even though the Minnesota Lynx finished with the best record in the 2025 WNBA season, the organization has the second-best odds (26.1 percent) of earning the No. 1 pick in 2026 WNBA Draft. Their fate will be determined Sunday, Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Lynx own the Chicago Sky’s first-round pick, having first acquired swap rights as part of the April 2024 transaction that saw Chicago trade up for the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft to select Angel Reese. Minnesota then gained sole control over the pick when they sent the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which became Hailey Van Lith, to the Sky.
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The pick, especially if it lands at No. 1, presents an opportunity for what projects to be another win-now, veteran-laden 2026 Lynx team to begin extending their contention window by adding a top-tier young talent.
So, if the basketball gods bless the Lynx, which prospects should they prioritize? Here’s four they should consider, plus one that they shouldn’t:
Flau’Jae Johnson (LSU)
The Lynx have thrived in recent seasons by employing Courtney Williams, a combo guard, as their point guard. Williams, like almost every WNBA veteran, is an unrestricted free agent who may or may not return to Minnesota. She’ll also be 32 years old when the 2026 season begins.
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With the top pick, the Lynx could draft her immediate or eventual successor. And if the team wishes to maintain the combination of scoring and playmaking dynamism that Williams has provided, there’s no better bet than LSU senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson.
Johnson, in fact, could be a souped up version of Williams, as she is taller, longer and more athletic. She would plug right into Minnesota’s versatile and aggressive defensive schemes, while her ability to get all the way to the basket and put pressure on the rim would introduce a new, needed element to the Lynx offense. Due to her experience playing with other stars on stacked LSU teams, Johnson also knows how to effectively calibrate her game, another appealing trait for an egalitarian Minnesota squad.
Olivia Miles (TCU)
Possibly, president of basketball operations and head coach Cheryl Reeve envisions the next iteration of the Lynx adopting a different offensive identity, one where a more traditional point guard runs the show.
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In that scenario, TCU senior guard Olivia Miles makes a ton of sense.
Widely-considered the best point guard prospect in the draft, Miles sports a creative passing repertoire, with her live-dribble passing ability allowing her to both find open, as well as pass open, teammates. The Lynx’s already elite offense could become even more unstoppable with Miles setting up the likes of Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith. That Miles’ improved 3-point shooting seems legit makes her an even more intriguing fit for Minnesota.
The other end of the floor, however, might give Minnesota pause, as Miles has not consistently applied her combination of size and basketball IQ to be a positive defensive difference maker.
Azzi Fudd (UConn)
It’s likely many fans would clamor for a continuation of the Husky-to-Lynx pipeline, with super senior UConn guard Azzi Fudd following in the stead of Maya Moore and Napheesa Collier.
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Fudd might be the most seamless selection. Rather than trying to integrate a new primary ball handler on a win-now team, as would be the case with Johnson or Miles, Fudd would slide right into the Minnesota lineup as a 3-point shooting threat. The growing pains likely would be minimal, with Fudd swishing the spot-up 3s generated by the Lynx’s veteran talents. Then, over time, Fudd could assume an expanded offensive role, utilizing the threat of her shot to open up playmaking opportunities.
Defensively, Fudd projects as solid. Although lacking the disruptive potential of Johnson, she’s been seasoned by the strict defensive standards of UConn, suggesting she can use her strong frame to be part of a top-notch defensive system.
Awa Fam (Valencia)
Rather than trying to find a piece to contribute to their current, championship-chasing core, the Lynx could go with the future-focused and high-upside swing by selecting Awa Fam, a 20-year-old and 6-foot-4 Spanish phenom in the Dominique Malonga mold.
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Fam profiles as an ideal modern big: a threat running the floor, a versatile partner in pick-and-roll actions and a (potential) shooter.
A pro since age 15, Fam plays for Valencia Basket, which competes in Spain’s Liga Femenina and EuroLeague Women. Her production in both competitions is reflective of a promising young prospect, with encouraging outings balanced by quieter games. For instance, after playing 34 minutes, scoring 17 efficient points and grabbing seven boards in Valencia’s close EuroLeague Women loss to Fenerbahçe in mid-October, she played just 19 minutes when Fenerbahçe routed Valencia in the recent rematch between the clubs, scoring four points on three shots with two rebounds.
But if the Lynx go the patient path with Fam, it could pay off in a big way.
Not Lauren Betts (UCLA)
While Lauren Betts currently claims the top spot on most draft boards, it would be surprising if the Lynx prioritized the 6-foot-7 center from UCLA.
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Minnesota has been at the forefront of the WNBA’s move away from traditional bigs. The Lynx’s schemes prioritize switchability, versatility and speed. During their run of recent success, they have willingly sacrificed size in favor of the advantages accrued by deploying smaller-yet-more-skilled players across all five positions.
Sure, a player like Betts might be an interesting off-speed pitch for the Lynx, allowing them to unlock bigger lineups in certain circumstances. But drafting a situational big with the No. 1 pick would not be smart asset management.
