WNBA Draft Lottery: When, Where, Team Odds
The popularity of the WNBA is at an all time high. Fans may find this hard to believe, but it's about to get even more exciting. The Golden State Valkyries will play their inaugural season in 2025. The upcoming draft class is loaded with talent, like the league has not seen before. Topping the wish list for WNBA general managers are UConn's Paige Bueckers and USC's Kiki Iriafen.
Both players will have an immediate impact as rookies, but the question is, who will they be playing for? That will be determined by the bounce of ping pong balls, as the WNBA Draft Lottery is set to take place on Sunday. Four teams will have their future determined by the lottery. The Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, and Washington Mystics. The Golden State Valkyries will draft 5th no matter what.
WNBA Draft Lottery: Where And When
The WNBA Lottery presented by State Farm will take place on Sunday, November 17, at 5pm. It will be televised on ESPN, following the NCAA Women's showdown of North Carolina versus TCU. This will be the 13th year that ESPN has televised the event, and will no doubt, be it's biggest year ratings wise. The program will be 30 minutes long, and include the reveal of the order, and interviews with attendees.
WNBA Draft Lottery Odds
The four teams who missed the playoffs this past season will participate in the lottery, and their odds are determined by their record the last two seasons combined. Only the first two picks will be selected via the drawing. The third pick in the draft will be awarded to the team with the worst 2-year record, that was not selected in the lottery. The last team remaining will pick fourth.
Los Angeles Sparks: 442 Combinations Out Of 1,000
The Sparks finished 8-32 last season, and 17-23 the year before. During the 2024 season, they averaged 78.4 points per game (10th in the league) and allowed 85.6 (10th out of 12 teams). Cameron Brink was lost to an injury 15 games into the season, but will be back in 2025. Leading scorer Dearica Hamby (17.3ppg), who just turned 31, will be back as well.
Dallas Wings: 227 Combinations Out Of 1,000
The Dallas Wings finished 2024 with a record of 9-31, and have a two-year record of 31-49. Last season they averaged 84.2 points per game (4th in the WNBA) and gave up 92.1 points per game (last place, 12/12). Superstar scorer, and Olympic snubbed baller, Arike Ogunbowale is back, after averaging 22.2ppg last year. The Wings alos have the rights to swap picks with the Chicago Sky, which they will do, if Chicago gets a better pick than them.
Chicago Sky: 227 Combinations Out Of 1,000
The Sky had two exciting rookies last season, in Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardosa. This front court proved unstoppable on the glass, averaging a combined 21 rebounds per game. It wasn't enough though, and the Sky finished 2024 with a record of 13-27, and a two-year combined record of 31-49. They would love a top two pick, but it's highly unlikely, given their pick swap with Dallas.
Washington Mystics: 108 Combinations Out Of 1,000
Of the four lottery teams, the Mystics had the best record in 2024 (14-26) and the best cumulative, two-year record (33-47). They scored 79.3 points per game last season (9 of 12) and gave up 82.3 (7 of 12). Brittney Sykes suffered a high ankle sprain that cost her three weeks of the season, and Elena Delle Donne chose to sit out 2024. Delle Donne is questionable for next season, so the Mystics need a talented player to potentially fill her spot.
Once the draft is over, the Expansion Draft for the Valkyries will take place Friday, December 6, on ESPN. The WNBA Draft will take place on Monday, April 4th. Lots to be excited for now and in the upcoming WNBA season.