Even though the Minnesota Lynx finished with the best record in the 2025 WNBA season, the organization has the second-best chance (26.1%) to land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Their fate will be determined on Sunday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Lynx own the Chicago Sky’s first-round pick, having first acquired swap rights in the April 2024 trade that saw Chicago trade for pick #7 in the 2024 WNBA Draft to select Angel Reese. Minnesota then took sole control of the pick when they sent pick No. 11 in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which became Hailey Van Lith, to the Sky.
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The pick, especially if it lands at No. 1, presents an opportunity for what projects to be another winning, veteran-laden 2026 Lynx team to begin extending its window of contention by adding some top-tier young talent.
So if the basketball gods bless the Lynx, which prospects should they prioritize? Here are four they should consider, plus one they shouldn’t:
Flau’Jae Johnson (LSU)
The Lynx have thrived in recent seasons by employing Courtney Williams, a combo guard, as their point guard. Williams, like almost every WNBA veteran, is an unrestricted free agent who may or may not return to Minnesota. She will also be 32 years old at the start of the 2026 season.
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With the first pick, the Lynx could recruit his immediate or eventual successor. And if the team wants to maintain the combination of scoring and playmaking dynamism that Williams has provided, there’s no better bet than LSU senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson.
Johnson, in fact, could be an improved version of Williams, as she is taller, longer and more athletic. She would plug directly into Minnesota’s versatile and aggressive defensive schemes, while her ability to get to the basket and apply pressure at the rim would introduce a new necessary element to the Lynx offense. Because of his experience playing with other stars on stacked LSU teams, Johnson also knows how to effectively calibrate his game, another attractive trait for an even Minnesota team.
Olivia Miles (TCU)
It’s possible that president of basketball operations and head coach Cheryl Reeve envisions the next iteration of the Lynx adopting a different offensive identity, one where a more traditional point guard runs the show.
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In this scenario, TCU senior guard Olivia Miles makes a lot of sense.
Widely considered the best point guard prospect in the draft, Miles sports a creative passing repertoire, with his live passing ability allowing him to both find open teammates and pass openly. The Lynx’s already elite offense could become even more unstoppable with Miles setting up Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith. The fact that Miles’ improved 3-point shooting looks legitimate makes him an even more intriguing candidate for Minnesota.
The other end of the court, however, could give Minnesota pause, as Miles has not consistently applied his combination of size and basketball IQ to make a positive defensive difference.
Azzi Fudd (University of Conn)
It’s likely that many fans would call for the Husky-to-Lynx pipeline to continue, with UConn super senior guard Azzi Fudd following in place of Maya Moore and Napheesa Collier.
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Fudd might be the most transparent selection. Rather than trying to integrate a new primary ball handler into a win-now team, as would be the case with Johnson or Miles, Fudd would slide right into Minnesota’s lineup as a 3-point shooting threat. The growing pains would likely be minimal, with Fudd sweeping the spot-up 3s generated by the Lynx’s veteran talent. Then, over time, Fudd could take on an expanded offensive role, using the threat of his shot to open up playmaking opportunities.
Defensively, Fudd projects to be solid as well. While she doesn’t have Johnson’s disruptive potential, she has been seasoned to UConn’s tough defensive standards, suggesting she can use her strong frame to be part of a top-notch defensive system.
Awa Fam (Valencia)
Rather than trying to find a piece to contribute to their current championship core, the Lynx could opt for the forward-looking, high-upside swing by selecting Awa Fam, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-4 Spanish phenom in the mold of Dominique Malonga.
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Fam presents himself as an ideal modern big: a running threat, a versatile partner in pick-and-roll actions and a (potential) shooter.
A professional since the age of 15, Fam plays for Valencia Basket, which competes in Spain’s Liga Femenina and EuroLeague Women. His production in both competitions reflects a promising young prospect, with encouraging outings balanced by calmer matches. For example, after playing 34 minutes, scoring an efficient 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds in Valencia’s close EuroLeague Women loss to Fenerbahçe in mid-October, she played just 19 minutes. when Fenerbahçe beat Valencia in the recent rematch between the clubs, scoring four points on three shots and two rebounds.
But if the Lynx follow the patient path with Fam, it could pay off big.
Not Lauren Betts (UCLA)
With Lauren Betts currently claiming the top spot on most draft boards, it would be surprising if the Lynx prioritize the 6-foot-7 center from UCLA.
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Minnesota has been at the forefront of the WNBA’s move away from traditional bigs. Lynx layouts prioritize switchability, versatility and speed. During their recent run of success, they have willingly sacrificed their size in favor of the advantages gained by deploying smaller but more skilled players across all five positions.
Of course, a player like Betts could be interesting territory for the Lynx, allowing them to unlock bigger rosters in certain circumstances. But drafting a big situation with the No. 1 pick wouldn’t be smart asset management.
