The WNBA Draft is looming and honestly, the uncertainty surrounding Monday’s first pick is keeping everyone guessing. For weeks, it felt like a lock that UConn’s Azzi Fudd would be the top choice for the Dallas Wings—reuniting her with Paige Bueckers—but her Final Four performance cooled that momentum significantly. The air in the office is thick with stale coffee and frantic typing as we try to parse these shifts.
Now, mock projections are floating names like Spain’s Awa Fam or UCLA’s Lauren Betts as potential surprises for the Wings. It’s a bit of a toss-up. Fam has raw potential but needs development, while Betts is arguably the only true center entering the draft this year. Misryoum reporting suggests that while some analysts are leaning toward different directions, the draft landscape remains incredibly fluid. Or maybe it’s just noise.
Wait, despite the mock drafts, the market tells a different story. As of right now, Kalshi data indicates Fudd still holds a massive 86 percent chance of going first. Fam sits way back at 14 percent, with Betts at just six. Actually, it’s interesting how these numbers contrast with the skepticism following the tournament losses.
Adding to the intrigue, the Dallas roster is in flux. They parted ways with DiJonai Carrington, who recently landed with the Chicago Sky, potentially clearing a backcourt spot for Fudd. Misryoum editorial desk noted that there is even talk of the Wings potentially targeting Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin. If they secure a center elsewhere, it reinforces the case for taking a guard like Fudd first—or maybe they draft Betts and pivot? It’s hard to say for sure.
If the Wings pass on Fudd, she wouldn’t fall far. She would likely be snapped up by the Minnesota Lynx or Seattle Storm at the second or third spot. Those teams are already playoff-caliber, which changes the dynamic for a rookie entering the league. It’s a lot to weigh, really.
Regardless of the outcome, Monday night in New York is going to be a turning point for these franchises. We’re watching the numbers closely to see if the market holds, though things have been known to change in the final hours leading up to the clock starting. Actually, looking at the roster gaps again, the fit for Fudd in Dallas—well, the chemistry is hard to ignore.