How Does the WNBA Draft Lottery Work?
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The path to the #1 pick in the WNBA Draft starts here. We explain the draft lottery system and how it decides which team will land the next superstar.
The WNBA Draft lottery determines the top four picks in the draft, though this will expand to the top five picks starting with the 2026 WNBA Draft due to league expansion. The draft lottery is designed to give non-playoff teams a chance at securing the No. 1 overall pick. Unlike the NBA, the WNBA lottery is based on a two-year cumulative record, meaning teams that struggle over multiple seasons have better odds of landing a top pick.
How Are Lottery Teams Selected?
Typically, the four teams that did not make the playoffs are entered into the lottery. With the addition of a 13th team in 2025, this will increase to five non-playoff teams for the 2026 lottery. Their odds of winning the No. 1 pick are based on their combined records from the previous two seasons.
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How Are Picks Determined?
The lottery process involves ping pong balls numbered 1-14, which are drawn to create a four-digit combination. The team that owns the winning combination gets the No. 1 pick. The process is repeated for the No. 2 pick, and the remaining two teams are assigned No. 3 and No. 4 based on their records. For future lotteries with five teams, the process will be similar, with the top picks being drawn and the remaining lottery spots assigned by record.
After the lottery, the remaining draft order is determined by reverse standings from the previous season.
Impact of the Draft Lottery on Team Building
Winning the No. 1 pick can be franchise-changing, as seen with past selections like Caitlin Clark (2024 WNBA Draft) and Paige Bueckers (2025 WNBA Draft). Teams that land high picks often build around elite college prospects or international stars.
However, some teams strategically trade lottery picks to acquire veteran players or future assets, shaping their roster based on immediate needs versus long-term development. A perfect example occurred in 2025, where high draft picks were the currency for blockbuster trades:
- The Los Angeles Sparks traded the #2 overall pick (which became Dominique Malonga) to acquire veteran All-Star and Olympian Kelsey Plum.
- The Chicago Sky traded the #3 overall pick (which became Sonia Citron) to bring in All-Star Ariel Atkins.
These moves illustrate the high value of lottery picks—they are not just players; they are powerful assets that can be swapped for established All-Stars.
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📖 This is part of our WNBA Draft 101 series.
