The WNBA held its Draft Lottery on Sunday for the four teams that did not make the playoffs this season, with the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings (through the Los Angeles Sparks), and Washington Mystics all vying to win the top place.
The Fever had the greatest odds to win the lottery for the second time in three years, but ended up with the No. 2 choice, as the Washington Mystics jumped to the top spot this time. The Dream was selected third overall, and the Wings will select fourth overall in the upcoming draft.
The Mystics will have their pick at the top of the draft, with guard Rhyne Howard of Kentucky the favorite to go first overall, though forward NaLyssa Smith of Baylor has a strong case to be selected there as well. Whoever they sign will be joining a club that, if they can stay healthy, will be expected to reclaim a playoff spot next season. Meanwhile, the Fever are only hoping to land a high draft pick after missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and looking as far away from contending as ever in 2021.
After a rocky couple of seasons, Atlanta is undergoing an organizational revamp as well, with a new coach, new general manager, and some new faces on the squad. Meanwhile, the Wings advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season, earning the league’s seventh seed, and will look to add another rotational player to complement Arike Ogunbowale.
If no trades occur before the draft, the whole 2022 WNBA Draft order will look like this.
1. Washington Mystics
2. Indiana Fever
3. Atlanta Dream
4. Dallas Wings
5. New York Liberty
6. Dallas Wings
7. Chicago Sky
8. Minnesota Lynx
9. Seattle Storm
10. Indiana Fever
11. Las Vegas Aces
12. Connecticut Sun
