Each year, the WNBA Draft lottery comes around like a golden ticket drawing of basketball’s own. It’s a time of excitement, crazy social media predictions, and a dash of superstition as teams cross their fingers for a chance at generational talent.
Explaining the WNBA Draft Lottery
The WNBA Draft lottery is basically a weighted lottery that establishes the top four picks of the WNBA Draft.
Unlike in the NBA, where the odds in the lottery are determined strictly by the record from the past season, the WNBA has a two-season system.
This implies that the odds are determined by taking the teams’ regular-season records for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This is meant to discourage teams from “tanking” for a single season and instead encourage development over the longer term.
Four teams were in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft lottery:
- Los Angeles Sparks: With a combined record of 25–55 over two years, they had the highest chance (442 out of 1,000 opportunities).
- Dallas Wings: Their combined 31–49 record earned them 227 opportunities.
- Chicago Sky: Sitting at 31–49 as well, with 227 opportunities.
- Washington Mystics: 33–47 combined record, which makes them have the least opportunity at 104 chances.
But here’s where it got interesting: due to an earlier trade, the Dallas Wings had a right to exchange first-round picks with the Chicago Sky.
So, if either team received a top pick, Dallas could have it for itself, and that is what transpired.
When the lottery draw was announced on Nov. 17, 2024, the Wings had the No. 1 pick for the first time in their history, and shockwaves rippled through the league.
The first four selections were made based on the following order:
- Dallas Wings
- Los Angeles Sparks (traded to Seattle Storm)
- Chicago Sky (traded to Washington Mystics)
- Washington Mystics
The remaining two dozen teams—those who qualified for the playoffs—were allocated into their selections (5–12) according to their Fivehead tally from their 2024 regular season.
KEEP READING: How Much Do WNBA Draft Picks Make?
Dallas Wings GM Curt Miller couldn’t conceal his delight when he said, “We’ve seen through the WNBA history what No. 1 picks have done to franchises, and it just changes the outlook.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
