Overview:
The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14th, which could lead to a franchise-altering rebuild. The draft process differs from the NBA Draft, with eligibility criteria requiring players to be at least 22 years old and have exhausted their college eligibility. The lottery is designed to promote competitive balance and provide struggling franchises with a path to revitalization, but the Wings have secured the top selection. The prospect of UConn standout Paige Bueckers joining the franchise has intensified speculation, but decisions from potential lottery picks Olivia Miles and Azzi Fudd have shifted the dynamics of the available talent pool.
The Dallas Wings holds the coveted No. 1 overall pick and with it, a chance to orchestrate a franchise-altering rebuild in this year’s draft. This pivotal moment has set the stage for the highly anticipated draft on April 14th, a date circled on the calendars of WNBA enthusiasts across the league. In preparation for the event, Dallas Weekly is providing an in-depth look at the draft process. Notably, in how it differs from the NBA draft and expectations.
Player Eligibility
To ensure a level playing field and a consistent influx of talent, the WNBA Draft adheres to specific eligibility criteria. Players must be at least 22 years old during the draft year, have exhausted their college eligibility, or have graduated from a four-year institution. International players are subject to distinct regulations regarding age and professional experience.
These eligibility criteria are significantly different from that of the NBA Draft. In that league, players need only be 19 years old, one year post-high school, and not be signed with any other professional league. International players must turn 22 by the end of the calendar year.
The Lottery
The WNBA lottery is designed to promote competitive balance and provide struggling franchises with a path to revitalization. In that way they are much like their NBA counterparts. Also like the NBA, the top four picks in the WNBA Draft have been awarded to the four teams with the lowest combined regular-season winning percentages from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Specifically, the Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky, and Washington Mystics. Unlike the WNBA, the NBA’s field of lottery hopefuls comes from the lowest 14 teams in the league.
Despite the Sparks entering with the highest odds, fate intervened, and the Wings secured the top selection. The final lottery order placed the Sparks at No. 2, followed by the Sky and the Mystics. Adding further intrigue, the 2025 draft introduces the Golden State Valkyries. The league’s newest expansion team will hold the fifth pick in each round—a strategic advantage in the WNBA’s team-building efforts.
WNBA Draft Expectations
The lottery’s outcome has generated significant excitement. Particularly with UConn standout Paige Bueckers’ highly anticipated declaration for the 2025 WNBA Draft. This announcement has intensified speculation that the Wings will select Bueckers. Giving the Wings the potential of creating a dynamic and explosive backcourt alongside star guard Arike Ogunbowale.
The prospect of these two elite guards pairing up in Dallas and forming a formidable offensive force breathes new life into the franchise. However, the draft landscape has also been altered by decisions from potential lottery picks Olivia Miles and Azzi Fudd. Both have elected to return to their respective schools, forgoing their eligibility for this year’s draft.
What It All Means for the WIngs
These returns shift the dynamics of the available talent pool, creating a ripple effect across the league. Adding to the Wings’ off-season complexities is the departure of Satou Sabally. The free agent signed with the Phoenix Mercury, creating a void the Wings will be looking to fill.
As the WNBA prepares for the upcoming draft, the impact of these player moves on the league’s future, and particularly the Wings’ strategic rebuilding plans, remains a central point of discussion. The draft is a pivotal moment that will dictate the future direction of the Wings, and potentially, the competitive balance of the entire WNBA.