{"id":286792,"date":"2025-11-12T06:12:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T06:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/286792\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T06:12:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T06:12:13","slug":"how-does-the-wnba-draft-lottery-work-full-breakdown-every-franchises-no-1-overall-pick-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/286792\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does the WNBA Draft Lottery Work? Full Breakdown & Every Franchise\u2019s No. 1 Overall Pick in History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WNBA Draft Lottery is an annual event. It features the teams that did not make the playoffs. These teams compete through a weighted random draw, and this gives them a chance to secure one of the top picks in the upcoming draft. This offers league\u2019s struggling teams with an opportunity to rebuild and become more competitive.<\/p>\n

Watch What\u2019s Trending Now!<\/p>\n

The system is somewhat similar to the NBA Draft Lottery. Both leagues follow a process that includes a randomized draw using ping-pong balls or equivalent methods to determine the order of the top picks among non-playoff teams. However, in the NBA, only the top four picks are decided by the lottery. After those four, the remaining first-round order follows the inverse of each team\u2019s win-loss record.<\/p>\n

What Teams Are Eligible for the WNBA Draft Lottery?<\/p>\n

The Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky have all made the cut for this year\u2019s draft lottery.<\/p>\n

The league looks at each team\u2019s combined records from the last two regular seasons to calculate chances, and that applies to the five teams that failed to reach the playoffs this past year. Trades changed the makeup of the pool this season: Minnesota and Seattle ended up in the lottery because they acquired first-round picks via deals (Minnesota, for example, now holds Chicago\u2019s pick after a swap with the Sky).<\/p>\n

\"article-image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Imago<\/p>\n

One small wrinkle: the WNBA hasn\u2019t announced where the league\u2019s two expansion clubs, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, will slot into the draft order. For context, in 2025, the Golden State Valkyries ended up with the No. 5 pick after that year\u2019s four-team lottery.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports<\/p>\n

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports <\/p>\n

<\/a>How Is the WNBA Draft Lottery Conducted?<\/p>\n

In the WNBA Draft Lottery, 14 balls numbered 1 through 14 are placed into a lottery machine. They are mixed, and four balls are drawn to create a four-digit combination. Then, the team assigned to that combination wins the No. 1 pick. The process is then repeated to determine the No. 2 pick.<\/p>\n

Only the top two picks are decided by the lottery draws; of the three teams left out of those draws, the one with the worst two-year record will get the third pick, the next-worst gets fourth, and the remaining team takes fifth. Typically, the lottery is held in November and broadcast nationally. For the 2025 season, it\u2019s scheduled for November 23, airing on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. ET.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why Does the WNBA Use a Two-Year Record for Lottery Odds?<\/p>\n

The WNBA adopted its current two-year format in 2015. Since then, lottery odds have been determined by the combined records of the four eligible teams from the two most recent seasons. Under this system, the team with the worst record receives 442 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick, followed by 276, 178, and 104 chances for the other three teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new format will also guarantee that the Lottery team with the worst two-year cumulative record will end up with at least the third pick. Under the previous format, the Lottery team with the worst single-season record was guaranteed to pick no worse than fourth,\u201d read the official 2015 WNBA statement.<\/p>\n

The requirement for change came after criticism of the 2012 lottery. It was when Phoenix-despite having only the second-best odds-won the No. 1 pick and selected Brittney Griner after finishing 7\u201327. As a result, observers accused the injury-plagued Mercury of tanking, while Washington, which had the league\u2019s worst record at 5\u201329 and the best odds, fell to the No. 4 pick and selected Tayler Hill. And, considering the request legitimate, W got the rules amended.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This year, with the five-team format, the Dallas Wings have the highest chances of receiving the top pick (420 out of 1,000) and are sure to bag at least a top-three pick. While the Lynx have 261 chances and the Storm have the third-most at 161. The Mystics have 97 chances and the Chicago Sky have just 55.<\/p>\n

When Is the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery Taking Place?<\/p>\n

Date: Sunday, November 23
Time: 6:30 PM ET\u00a0
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN App<\/p>\n

Every WNBA Franchise\u2019s No. 1 Overall Pick in History<\/p>\n

Last season, the Dallas Wings landed the No. 1 pick, which turned out to be Paige Bueckers. Wings GM Curt Miller couldn\u2019t hide his excitement, saying, \u201cWe\u2019ve seen through WNBA history what No. 1 picks have done to franchises, and it just changes the outlook.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while it didn\u2019t immediately turn things around for Dallas, which tied the Sky for the league\u2019s worst record, the shortfall doesn\u2019t make him wrong. That\u2019s because the No. 1 pick has often transformed franchises. Just look at Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and A\u2019ja Wilson-each reshaped their teams\u2019 futures in remarkable ways. But before we move ahead, here\u2019s a glimpse of every No. 1 pick in history.\u00a0<\/p>\n

DRAFT YEARWNBA TEAMPLAYERNotable Achievements\u00a02025Dallas WingsPaige Bueckers2025 Rookie of the year, All-WNBA Second team, WNBA All-Rookie Team, WNBA All-Star2024Indiana FeverCaitlin Clark2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, WNBA Peak Performer Assists (2024), WNBA All-rookie team, WNBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup champion 2025, WNBA Assists Leader 2024, Best WNBA Player ESPY Award 2025, All WNBA First team 2024, 2\u00d7 WNBA All-Star2023Indiana FeverAliyah BostonWNBA Rookie of the Year 2023, 3\u00d7 WNBA All Star, All WNBA Second team, WNBA All Defensive Second team 2025, WNBA Commissioner\u2019s cup 2025, WNBA All-Rookie team 20232022Atlanta DreamRhyne HowardWNBA Rookie of the Year 2022, WNBA All-Defensive Second team, Unrivaled Second all Unrivaled 2025, First team All-American 2025,2021Dallas WingsCharli CollierWNBA All Rookie Team 20212020New York LibertySabrina IonescuWNBA Champion 2024, 4\u00d7 WNBA All-Star, 4\u00d7 All WNBA second team, 2\u00d7 WNBA Three point shootout champion, WNBA Skills Challenge Champion, WNBA Commissioner\u2019s cup Champion 2023.2019Las Vegas AcesJackie Young3\u00d7 WNBA Champion, WNBA Most improved Player 2022, 4\u00d7 WNBA All Second team, All WNBL First Team 2022, WNBA All-Rookie team 2019, Commissioner\u2019s Cup Champion 20222018Las Vegas AcesA\u2019ja Wilson2\u00d7 WNBA MVP (2020, 2022), 2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2022, 2023), 2\u00d7 Finals MVP (2023, 2024), 5\u00d7 All-Star, 3\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023), Olympic Gold Medalist (Tokyo 2020).2017Atlanta DreamKelsey PlumWNBA Champion (2022, 2023), All-WNBA Second Team (2022), WNBA All-Star MVP (2022), WNBA Sixth Player of the Year (2021), Olympic Gold Medalist (Tokyo 2020, 3\u00d73 Basketball).2016Seattle StormBreanna Stewart2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2018, 2020), 2\u00d7 Finals MVP, 2\u00d7 WNBA MVP (2018, 2023), 5\u00d7 All-Star, 4\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, 2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist.2015Seattle StormJewell Loyd2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2018, 2020), WNBA Finals MVP runner-up, 6\u00d7 All-Star, All-WNBA First Team (2021), WNBA Rookie of the Year (2015).2014Connecticut SunChiney OgwumikeWNBA Rookie of the Year (2014), 2\u00d7 All-Star, ESPN Analyst, WNBPA Vice President2013Phoenix MercuryBrittney Griner2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2014, 2024), 8\u00d7 All-Star, 2\u00d7 Defensive Player of the Year (2014, 2015), 8\u00d7 All-WNBA Team selections, 2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist, 2\u00d7 scoring leader, 8\u00d7 blocks leader.2012Los Angeles SparksNneka OgwumikeWNBA Champion (2016), WNBA MVP (2016), Finals MVP (2016), 8\u00d7 All-Star, 6\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, WNBPA President.2011Minnesota LynxMaya Moore4\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), WNBA MVP (2014), Finals MVP (2013), 6\u00d7 All-Star, 5\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, 2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist, Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2017).2010Connecticut SunTina CharlesWNBA MVP (2012), 8\u00d7 All-Star, 5\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, 2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist, 3\u00d7 rebounding leader.2009Atlanta DreamAngel McCoughtry2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist, 5\u00d7 All-Star, 6\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, 2\u00d7 scoring leader, 7\u00d7 All-Defensive Team, led Dream to 3 WNBA Finals appearances.2008Los Angeles SparksCandace Parker2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2016, 2021), 2\u00d7 WNBA MVP (2008, 2013), Finals MVP (2016), 7\u00d7 All-Star, 10\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, DPOY (2020), 2\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist.2007Phoenix MercuryLindsey HardingWNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013)2006Minnesota LynxSeimone Augustus4\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), Finals MVP (2011), 8\u00d7 All-Star, All-WNBA First Team (2011), 3\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist.2005Charlotte StingJanel McCarvilleWNBA Champion (2011) with Lynx, WNBA Most Improved Player (2007)2004Phoenix MercuryDiana Taurasi3\u00d7 WNBA Champion, 2\u00d7 Finals MVP, WNBA MVP (2009), 10\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, 6\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist,2003Cleveland RockersLaToya ThomasWNBA All-Rookie Team (2003)2002Seattle StormSue Bird4\u00d7 WNBA Champion, 13\u00d7 All-Star, 8\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, 5\u00d7 Olympic Gold Medalist, all-time WNBA assist leader2001Seattle StormLauren Jackson2\u00d7 WNBA Champion (2004, 2010), 3\u00d7 MVP (2003, 2007, 2010), Finals MVP (2010), 7\u00d7 All-Star, 8\u00d7 All-WNBA First Team, Hall of Famer.2000Cleveland RockersAnn WautersWNBA Champion (2008), WNBA All-Star (2005)1999Washington MysticsChamique Holdsclaw6\u00d7 All-Star, 4\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, WNBA Rookie of the Year (1999), 2\u00d7 scoring leader, 2\u00d7 rebounding leader1998Utah StarzzMargo Dydek2\u00d7 All-Defensive Team, 8-season WNBA career1997Houston CometsTina Thompson4\u00d7 WNBA Champion (1997\u20132000), 9\u00d7 All-Star, WNBA Finals MVP (2000), 8\u00d7 All-WNBA Team, Olympic Gold Medalist, 2nd all-time in points<\/p>\n

Most Successful No. 1 Overall Picks in WNBA History<\/p>\n

Here are some of the most legendary No. 1 picks in WNBA history.<\/p>\n

Sue Bird \u2013 One of the most iconic players in W\u2019s history. She retired as the league\u2019s all-time leader in games played and assists. A member of the WNBA 25 Team, she\u2018s a four-time WNBA champion and a three-time assists leader.\u00a0Over her remarkable career, she earned 13 All-Star selections, five All-WNBA First Team honors, and three Second Team honors. Her consistency, leadership, and longevity made her the ultimate standard for excellence, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve kept her at first!\u00a0Diana Taurasi \u2013 Next, we\u2019ve Taurasi, one of the greatest competitors ever. She\u2019s the second most decorated FIBA athlete in history, with six Olympic gold medals, three FIBA World Cup golds, and a World Cup bronze. She didn\u2019t just dominate the court; she elevated the league\u2019s visibility and inspired generations, too.Candace Parker \u2013 A two-time WNBA MVP, 2016 Finals MVP, and three-time champion, Parker\u2019s career speaks for itself. She redefined versatility, balancing strength with skill in a way few could match. Over her 13 seasons, she became one of the greatest players of all time.<\/p>\n

So yes-many of the W\u2019s all-time greats once heard their names called first on draft night<\/a>. And with the next generation of stars on the rise, the legacy of No. 1 picks is only growing stronger. Lauren Betts is currently projected to be the No.1 pick. Let\u2019s see who wins the lottery!<\/p>\n

Share this with a friend:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The WNBA Draft Lottery is an annual event. It features the teams that did not make the playoffs.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":249892,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[99,434],"class_list":{"0":"post-286792","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-sports","9":"tag-wnba"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}