The WNBA season is still in a precarious position, with CBA negotiations stalling and a potential strike looming. WNBPA vice President Napheesa Collier appeared on Good Morning America on Monday, stating that she anticipates the Jan. 9 deadline for a new CBA to pass without progress being made.
But, despite the uncertainty, we do know one thing: When the draft does take place, Dallas will have the No. 1 pick.Â
Here’s Hoops HQ’s latest mock draft, with a new No. 1 pick.
1. Dallas Wings
Lauren Betts, Center, 6-foot-7, UCLA
After struggling a bit to start the season, Betts has played her way back to being the No. 1 pick. Dallas needs a big, but not only that, Betts is a generational center. Her footwork is extraordinary, her passing out of double-teams has become one of her most underrated skills, and Betts has much better foot speed than people realize. She’s good at running the floor and can slide with smaller posts when they try to play the perimeter. Dallas is going to be building for the next few seasons, and I can’t think of a better duo to anchor the team than Betts and Paige Bueckers.
2. Minnesota Lynx
Awa Fam, Center, 6-foot-6, Spain
Cheryl Reeve loves a quirky player. Her entire roster is made up of people with unique skillsets or those who were overlooked elsewhere. A versatile forward with a high ceiling makes sense for both Reeve and the Lynx. Plus, with Napheesa Collier likely missing time due to her ankle surgeries, Minnesota can focus on developing the 19-year-old into its missing puzzle piece.
Awa Fam needs developing, but she may have the highest ceiling in this draft. With Napheesa Collier injured, there’s never been a better time for the Lynx to focus on development.
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3. Seattle Storm
Azzi Fudd, Guard, 5-foot-11, UConn
The Storm have had success in the past with UConn guards – Sue Bird and Gabby Williams come to mind – so adding Fudd is a no-brainer. Statistically, Fudd is exceptional, averaging 17.9 points on 49-percent shooting, 48.5 percent from three-point range, and 100 percent from the free throw line. Seattle could use her shooting ability as well as her defense, something that has long been an underrated part of Fudd’s game.
4. Washington Mystics
Ta’Niya Latson, 5-foot-8, South CarolinaÂ
Latson remains one of the best scoring guards in the country, despite her decreased production after transferring from Florida State to South Carolina. But that’s a good thing. She’s shooting at a higher clip from everywhere on the floor, with the biggest jump coming from long range (34.2 percent last year to 41.7 percent). Latson is also learning to play in a system, rather than being ball-dominant, something that will serve her well on a young Washington team bursting with talent.
Ta’Niya Latson is shooting at a higher clip from everywhere on the floor since transferring to South Carolina
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5. Chicago Sky
Olivia Miles, Guard, 5-foot-10, TCU
Chicago is a bit of a mess at the moment. It has its franchise player in Angel Reese, but now the Sky need to find a way to keep her. That starts with finding solid additions to play around her. Miles is one of the country’s top floor generals and her ability to pass in the fastbreak and to the post would work well with Reese. Plus, she can score in her own right – something Chicago needs – averaging 19.3 points per game.
6. Toronto Tempo
Marta Suarez, Guard/Forward, 6-foot-3, TCU
Suarez is perhaps the most versatile player in college basketball right now, possessing the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. As the Tempo builds its roster, versatility will be crucial. No matter who they pick up in the expansion draft or free agency, Suarez will slide right in with her ability to post up, beat defenders off the bounce and shoot from long range.
7. Portland Fire
Gianna Kneepkens, Guard/Forward, 6-foot, UCLA
Another team that is starting from scratch, Portland can rely on Kneepkens to come in and do her job from day one. She’s an elite three-point shooter, who also possesses the ability to create her own shot with a quick release in the midrange. Kneepkens also transferred from Utah to UCLA this season, proving her ability to play on a bigger stage.
Gianna Kneepkens is an elite shot creator and WNBA-ready flamethrower
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8. Golden State Valkyries
Nell Angloma, Guard, 6-foot-1, France
After becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season, Golden State will be looking to build on that momentum. France has become a hotbed of young talent, and Angloma is the latest high-ceiling export. She excels at getting to the rim and can finish in the midrange or at the hoop. At 19 years old, the possibilities are endless.
9. Washington Mystics
Kiki Rice, Guard, 5-foot-11, UCLA
Washington could use another point guard to compete alongside Georgia Amoore, who will be returning from injury to make her debut, so why not bring Rice home? The Maryland native is having the best season of her career. Rice is driving to the basket with authority, using her athleticism to slice through defenders. Plus, with the addition of Charlisse Leger-Walker, Rice can now play at the point or on the wing.
10. Indiana Fever
Gabriella Jaquez, Guard, 6-foot, UCLA
The Fever have a ton of the necessary pieces to make waves next season and Jaquez would only add to that. She’s versatile and can fill any roll the Fever might need. Jaquez doesn’t need a lot of minutes or touches to make an impact. She’s an energy player who can hit the glass, defend and knock down shots when needed.Â
Gabriella Jaquez is a versatile two-way player who would elevate any WNBA squad — especially the Fever
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11. Washington Mystics
Madina Okot, Center, 6-foot-6, South CarolinaÂ
If Okot enters the draft (she may get another year of eligibility), she should be drafted on potential alone. The center is already skilled, averaging a double-double with 15.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, but she also only started playing basketball in high school. That means she has a lot more to unlock. With Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen last season, Washington has proved its ability to maximize young talent. Okot would be an ideal addition.
12. Connecticut Sun
Flau’jae Johnson, Guard, 5-foot-11, LSU
Connecticut is in a total rebuild and Johnson is a player who can create something out of nothing. Her ability as a shot creator will be crucial as the Sun finds its new identity. Johnson is someone that can be counted on to score, using her high-level athleticism to knock down shots from a variety of spots.
Flau’jae Johnson could be the key piece for a rebuilding Connecticut Sun roster
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13. Atlanta Dream
Yarden Garzon, Guard, 6-foot-3, Maryland
Coach Karl Smesko always prioritizes shooters, so Garzon would be perfect for his system. She’s a career 41-percent three-point shooter who also has good size for a guard at 6-foot-3. With creators like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray around her, Garzon could thrive as a spot up shooter.
14. Seattle Storm
Rori Harmon, Guard, 5-foot-6, Texas
Harmon is undersized, but after playing in the SEC, she has shown her ability to play against bigger guards. Harmon is an elite defender and natural floor general. Plus, Seattle has an excellent point guard in Skylar Diggins, who would be a great mentor to Harmon.
Rori Harmon called her own number and hit the game-winning shot in Feast Week’s Players Era Tournament final
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15. Connecticut Sun
Cotie McMahon, Guard/Forward, 6-foot, Ole Miss
McMahon possesses above-average strength that will translate immediately to the WNBA. She can score both at the rim and in the midrange and isn’t afraid to take contact. Shooting, from both the three-point line and the free-throw line, isn’t McMahon’s strong suit, but a team like Connecticut will have the time to develop her obvious talent.
Meet your guide
Eden Laase
Eden Laase has been covering women’s basketball exclusively for the last four years. Before that she spent time as a beat writer covering Gonzaga men’s basketball, college hockey in Colorado, and high school sports in Michigan. Eden’s work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Just Women’s Sports, Yahoo, the Boston Globe and more.
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