The WNBA Draft will be interesting in 2025. UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, but which team will receive the opportunity to select Buckers in the draft? The WNBA Draft Lottery is intriguing since multiple teams have realistic chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick.
The Los Angeles Sparks technically have the best odds. They are joined by the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics in the lottery. Although LA finished with the worst record and their odds are technically the best, Dallas may have an even better chance of earning the No. 1 pick. The Wings previously traded Marina Mabrey to the Sky and they received a first round pick swap from Chicago in the deal.
That trade looks questionable for the Sky as they need a guard and traded Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun during the 2024 season. The Wings, meanwhile, will receive the No. 1 overall pick if either they or the Sky win the lottery.
Still, the Sparks and Wings odds are fairly similar. It appears likely that one of the two teams will earn the No. 1 pick, which likely means Bueckers will end up in LA or Dallas.
An in-depth look at the Sparks and Wings' first overall selection chances
So what exactly are the odds? Dallas' combined odds with Chicago sit just above 45 percent. Los Angeles' odds are just over 44 percent. The chances of Washington somehow winning the lottery with odds of just over 10 percent are slim but anything is possible.
It appears that Dallas or Los Angeles will win this year's draft lottery, though. Both teams could use a guard like Bueckers. She projects to be a quality fit alongside stars such as Arike Ogunbowale or Dearica Hamby.
Bueckers' hype may not be as notable as Caitlin Clark's following the 2023-24 season, but she is still one of the most popular athletes in all of college sports. Bueckers could approach Clark's immense popularity with a big 2024-25 season with UConn. She is looking to play well in her final college basketball season.
When is the WNBA Draft Lottery?
The draft lottery is right around the corner. It is scheduled for Sunday, November 17 at 5 PM EST and it will air on ESPN.
Fans of the Wings and Sparks are hoping for the best as the WNBA Draft Lottery draws near.