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WNBA Draft Lottery: Who will the Dallas Wings select with the no. 1 pick?

Sara Jane Gamelli 6 November 18, 2024 No Comments

The Dallas Wings earn the top pick in the 2025 Draft. With a bit of luck on their side, who exactly will they select first overall?

(Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

The WNBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, and the Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 selection in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft. While the outcome stunned fans across the league, Dallas and Chicago each had only a 22.7% chance of securing the top pick. The overwhelming favorite to land the no. 1 spot, the Sparks had the highest odds at 44.2 %.

Many overlooked that Dallas had the best odds overall, thanks to their ability to swap first-round picks with the Chicago Sky. Someway somehow, Dallas beat the 457 of 1,000 odds to win the leading selection. Edging out the Sparks with 442 of 1,000 chances, It was fate.

Paige Bueckers headlines a talented 2025 WNBA Draft class

With UConn guard Paige Bueckers widely projected as the first overall pick, many assumed Los Angeles would secure the first-team All-American. While that's still a possibility, Bueckers and USC star Kiki Iriafen remain in the hunt for the spot.

Represented by Wings, second-year forward Maddy Siegrist was selected no. 3 overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft by Dallas. "Super excited" for the opportunity, Siegrist stated, "How impactful the lottery picks have been, especially the last few seasons."

Drafting several high-profile names, the Wings recently selected Jacy Sheldon with the 5th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Prior to that, Siegrist and Lou Lopez Sénéchal were drafted no. 3 and no. 5 overall in 2023. The two anchors in Dallas, Satou Sabally was picked no. 2 overall in 2020, and Arike Ogunbowale, no. 5 in 2019. So yes, the Wings have compiled quite the talent over the years.

Why Bueckers would be a great fit for the Dallas Wings

Parting ways with head coach Latricia Trammell, the Wings have a vacant head coach position. While it's unclear who will fill that roll, Dallas is trending upward. If Bueckers is, in fact, the number one pick, she would fit perfectly alongside Obunbowale and Sabally. Especially defensively, where the Wings largely struggled.

A versatile guard who can score in various ways, Bueckers is averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and a career-high 3.0 steals. Shooting at a high clip, the Minnesota native is averaging career-highs in field goal (65 %) and three-point percentage (50 %).

With the pick, the Wings signal signs of life. Hiring former Sparks head coach Curt Miller as General Manager, Miller witnessed Dallas swoop the first pick right before LA's eyes. Talk about a full-circle moment.

With the recent hiring of Miller, Siegrist is optimistic for the future, even without a current head coach.

"It will be exciting," Siegrist told Andraya Carter mid-WNBA Draft Lottery. "I think the new front office and the coaches-- will be exciting to see who we get. The lottery pick is going to help a lot as well."

If Siegrist clarifies one aspect, the Wings will get a brand new facility. With that, she vouches for the steak and barbecue.

The Sparks have a bright future ahead

Considering each team's two-year cumulative records, the Sparks had a record of 25-55 over that span. Ironically, the Wings and Sky have identical records of 31-49 over the last two years. Although their roster doesn't reflect the standings, the Mystics have a combined 31-49 record over two years.

The Los Angeles Sparks, represented by Rickea Jackson, earned the no. 2 overall pick in next year's draft. In their rebuilding area, the Sparks again missed out on the one spot. Riddled with injuries, the Sparks did hit the jackpot, drafting Cameron Brink second overall in 2024. Before suffering a season-ending injury with a torn ACL, Brink averaged 7.5 and led the league in blocks (per 36 minutes).

Along with Brink, the Sparks hit a two-for-one special with drafting Jackson 4th overall in 2024. A promising young squad, the second pick will complement Dearica Hamby, Jackson, and Brink. While there is a ton of talent in this year's draft, Kiki Iriafen would complement Brink exceptionally well in the front court.

The Sky will look to build around Reese, Cardoso

No stranger to the situation, the Chicago Sky was granted the no. 3 overall pick in this year's upcoming draft. The Sky will aim to add an offensive talent to complement Kamilla Cardoso, the No. 3 pick, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 selection in the 2024 Draft.

After parting ways with former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, Chicago recently tabbed Tyler Marsh as the head coach. Represented by Reese, the fellow LSU start reluctantly admitted they would have to swap the pick with Dallas. However, Reese was "going for two or three."

Three years removed from a WNBA Championship in 2021, the recent hirings signal a future championship in sight. While the Sky fell short of the number one pick, there are plenty of options for the pick. While Chicago could choose to trade the pick, Olivia Miles or Aneesah Morrow would be a great addition alongside Cardoso and Reese. Losing Reese to a season-ending injury, the Sky fell short of the playoffs with a 13-27 record. After a 3-3 start, the Sky 13 of their 15 final games.

The Washington Mystics needed a high draft pick

With the lowest odds at 11 percent, the Washington Mystics will have the no. 4 overall pick. Represented by former UConn Husky Aaliyah Edwards, the Mystics now hold the fourth and sixth picks in the draft. While they have a coaching vacancy after parting ways with Eric Thibault, the Mystics couldn't over come injuries all season long.

Alongside Edwards, who was drafted no. 6 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the organization will likely build around the Canadian native and Shakira Auston (no. 3 overall 2022). With a 14-26 record, the Mystics barely missed the playoffs.

Finishing 19-21 in 2023, the overall record does not reflect the current state of the franchise. Without Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud, Washington lost two of their star players. In clear rebuild mode, I believe the Mystics need a higher draft pick than ever.

2025 WNBA first-round draft order

Now that the top four picks are set, included below is the full 2025 WNBA Draft order:

1. Dallas Wings
2. Los Angeles Sparks
3. Chicago Sky
4. Washington Mystics
5. Golden State Valkries
6. Washington Mystics (Via Atlanta Dream)
7. New York Liberty (Via Phoenix Mercury)
8. Indiana Fever
9. Seattle Storm
10. Chicago Sky (Via Connecticut Sun)
11. Minnesota Lynx
12. Phoenix Mercury

Notably absent are the Las Vegas Aces, whose 2024 first-round pick was rescinded for violating league rules. After acquiring Marina Mabrey in the midst of a post-season push, the Sun traded away their first-round pick to the Chicago Sky.

ESPN latest WNBA mock draft

Although I've mentioned just a few players, here is a complete 2024 ESPN WNBA first-round mock draft list:

1.. Paige Bueckers (PG), UConn: Dallas Wings
2. Kiki Iriafen (PF), USC: Los Angeles Sparks
3. Azzi Fudd (SG), UConn: Chicago Sky
4. Olivia Miles (PG), Notre Dame: Washington Mystics
5. Lauren Betts (C), UCLA: Golden State Valkries
6. Sedona Prince (C), TCU: Washington Mystics
7. Dominique Malonga (C), France: New York Liberty
8. Aneesha Morrow (SF), LSU: Indiana Fever
9. Te-Hina Paopao, (G), South Carolina: Seattle Storm
10. Rori Harmon (PG), Texas: Chicago Sky
11.Janiah Barker (PF), UCLA: Minnesota Lynx
12. Sonia Citron (SG), Notre Dame: Phoenix Mercury

Now that the order is set, the 2025 WNBA Draft is slated to take place on Monday, April 14, 2025. While the expansion draft will occur on December 6, the Valkries also retain the current no. 5 overall pick. With an extra year of eligibility due to Covid, several players, including Fudd could return for one more year.

While the NCAAW season is just underway, I expect this mock draft to change as the season goes on. Be sure to follow Ballislife.com for more NCAA Women's basketball-related articles.

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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