The Washington Mystics have been very patient, taking their time with a rebuild after losing Elena Delle Donne to retirement and Natasha Cloud in free agency after the 2023 season.
The rebuild is going well so far. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are already All-Stars, Shakira Austin is developing well, Georgia Amoore hasn’t even made her Mystics debut yet, and Washington has three more first-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft. They will get to select fourth, ninth, and eleventh overall. The lottery pick, especially, promises another young cornerstone, but the Mystics should also be able to find some great young talent later in the first round, considering how strong this draft class is.
Washington is set up well for future success, but fans shouldn’t expect the team to compete just yet. Unless the Mystics trade all or some of their first-round picks for a more experienced star, the 2026 season will be about developing young talent and preparing a future contender rather than seriously trying to make the playoffs.
Contending for the playoffs is difficult with a young core
Given the Mystics’ patience and determination to amass draft assets in the 2025 and 2026 drafts, it seems reasonable to expect them to use all three first-round picks and further strengthen their young core. If that is the case and the Mystics re-sign Shakira Austin, who will be a restricted free agent, a big part of their rotation will be 25 or younger and have little WNBA experience.
Austin just finished her fourth season. Citron and Iriafen, who have established themselves as the Mystics’ two big building blocks, will only enter their second W season in 2026. Jacy Sheldon and Jade Melbourne only just finished their second and third season, respectively.
On top of that, the Mystics’ rotation would feature four first-year players if they use all their first-round picks and all of them make the roster immediately alongside Amoore.
Contending for the playoffs is difficult with such a young core, especially considering how many teams will be eying a trip to the postseason and how many of them have veteran cores. Barring any big losses in free agency or the expansion draft, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Phoenix, New York, and Indiana should all be in the mix for the playoffs again. So will be the Valkyries, Sparks, and maybe the Storm. Chicago is also desperate to make the playoffs, and Jose Fernandez wants to lead the Wings to the postseason. Moreover, one of the Tempo and Fire could surprise everyone and follow the Valkyries’ example. With only eight playoff spots available, several teams will be disappointed.
The Mystics should be a playoff team soon
While the Mystics may not be able to squeeze into the playoffs next season, their fans won’t have to wait much longer. Washington has a thrilling young core that will only get better with their upcoming draft picks, and Sydney Johnson proved himself as a capable coach in his first season with the team.
Following a team that is patiently rebuilding can be difficult, but it will pay off eventually. Just a few years down the road, the Mystics could have one of the best young cores in the league, rivalling the likes of Dallas, Indiana, and Los Angeles.