The WNBA Draft is the most important non-basketball occasion on the league calendar, and the day is lastly right here.
With all the small print set and mock drafts accomplished, let’s make some closing predictions on what else will occur throughout the league’s large day.
Wheeling and dealing
Trades occur earlier than the draft, and we received one on Sunday, just a bit over 24 hours earlier than picks begin coming in.
The Chicago Sky have acquired the No. 11 decide from the Minnesota Lynx. Chicago now has the No. 10 and No. 11 picks on this draft, and Minnesota has the Sky’s 2026 first-round draft choice.
WNBA TRADE:
The Chicago Sky acquired the No. 11 general decide within the 2025 WNBA Draft. In alternate, Chicago and Minnesota agreed to finish the Lynx’s proper to swap the staff’s 2026 first-round draft decide.
Minnesota will maintain the Sky’s 2026 draft decide with out having to swap their very own.
— Meghan L. Corridor (@ItsMeghanLHall) April 13, 2025
Chicago already had despatched out the No. 3 general decide to the Washington Mystics for Ariel Atkins. We additionally had the Los Angeles Sparks buying and selling away the No. 2 decide to the Seattle Storm early throughout free company as a part of their deal for Kelsey Plum; that deal additionally resulted within the Sparks getting the No. 9 decide from the Storm. The Connecticut Solar acquired first-round picks from the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever as they underwent an lively offseason. Trades previous to the 2025 offseason additionally noticed first-round picks change fingers. However I believe extra insanity is on the way in which.
I consider with the commerce by Minnesota to Chicago; there at the moment are 3 groups who’ve their unique decide in first spherical of WNBA draft. that is tied for the least ever which was accomplished a number of occasions. #Tradesgoodforbusiness
— Doug Feinberg (@DougFeinberg) April 13, 2025
Will one other staff commerce out of this draft and goal for the 2026 class? What are the Sky seeking to do with these two picks? Might a company soar forward to achieve their favored participant? I believe we’ll see some extra motion throughout the draft that may shake up the choices.
Who’s going to be there?
With this occasion being as large as it’s, there will likely be numerous celeb sightings and memorable moments. Bear in mind when Larry Chicken gave a shock message to Katie Lou Samuelson? That was a cool second, and who is aware of what basketball legends can have comparable moments with these new WNBA stars.
There additionally will likely be many unimaginable outfits. The impromptu style present that takes place on the WNBA Draft yearly on the Orange Carpet is a sight to see. Final yr, Caitlin Clark impressed in an all-Prada outfit, and the remainder of the lottery picks introduced the warmth as properly.
None of that is about basketball, however at the present time can be the most important second of every participant’s basketball profession. They’ve achieved a dream and formally made the WNBA. It’s nice that they’ll soak in that accomplishment and costume to impress in photographs they’ll be wanting again at for years to come back.
The Holly Rowe Present
Our grasp of ceremonies, Holly Rowe, at all times brings it for the WNBA Draft. We’ll get jokes, puns, virality, and possibly even just a little little bit of cringe. Each time she’s strolling round and in search of somebody to speak to, I’m holding my breath and questioning what’s going to occur subsequent.
After the mud settles, we’ll possible have Paige Bueckers as a Dallas Wing, some shock strikes and the unofficial begin of the 2025 WNBA season. Following post-draft interviews, coaching camp will open in a few weeks.
So, let’s buckle up for a busy draft after which start the twenty ninth season of WNBA basketball!
