This year’s WNBA Draft was more than just a restocking of rosters — it was a glimpse into how franchises are shaping their futures. Expansion teams looked to add foundational building blocks, while contenders hunted for that missing piece.
Some teams took advantage of the depth and unpredictability of the class to build for the future or boost their title hopes. Others walked away with questionable fits or missed chances. With all 36 picks in the books, here’s a look at the winners and losers from the WNBA’s big night.
Winners and Losers From 2025 WNBA Draft
Winner: Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings came out of the 2025 WNBA Draft with a franchise-altering addition in Paige Bueckers. Landing the former UConn star alone makes the Wings winners. Bueckers’ ability to run the offense, create for others, and defend at a high level makes her an instant two-way threat and a core piece for Dallas. She’ll also take some pressure off Arike Ogunbowale and bring balance to the backcourt.
Dallas added more guard depth by selecting Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly. James is a dynamic scorer who can lead the second unit and provide instant offense. Quinerly is undersized but a crafty scorer and defensive spark. Even though the Wings already had plenty of guards, these picks give them options off the bench.
They also took a swing on Madison Scott, a versatile defender who went earlier than expected but brings the kind of effort and motor that could help her stick on the roster.
Winner: Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics came into the draft with a great setup (three picks in the top six) and took full advantage. Under new general manager Jamila Wideman, they hit multiple needs and walked away with one of the most well-rounded classes.
At the center of it is Sonia Citron, the most versatile wing in the class and one of the most WNBA-ready players. Citron brings efficiency, two-way potential, and a game built on strong fundamentals.
Georgia Amoore is a dynamic playmaker with great vision and scoring touch. She’s small but plays with grit and flair, giving Washington a serious boost on offense.
Kiki Iriafen might not be a perfect fit given the crowded frontcourt, but her upside made her too good to pass up. She’s a versatile scoring big who adds depth behind Shakira Austin, Aaliyah Edwards, and Stefanie Dolson.
Lucy Olsen, meanwhile, was a smart value pick. She’s an underrated guard with a great feel for the game and scoring ability. Olsen’s not the most athletic, but she’s skilled and polished.
Winner: Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun came into the draft in full rebuild mode after losing all five starters from last year’s playoff squad. With major needs across the board, they needed a strong draft — and delivered.
Taking Aneesah Morrow was a steal. Arguably a top-five talent, Morrow is a relentless rebounder and tough scorer who brings versatility to the frontcourt. She’s a little undersized for a power forward, but her strength, speed, and scoring make her hard to guard.
Saniya Rivers was one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. She’s long, athletic, and has great instincts. She projects as a lockdown wing who can take on tough assignments from the jump. While her offense is still developing, Rivers’ passing and transition game give her upside as a playmaker.
The Sun also picked Rayah Marshall, a reliable big with solid defensive instincts who’ll learn behind Tina Charles. Marshall adds more frontcourt depth and fits the team’s defensive identity.
With new head coach Rachid Meziane, the Sun are starting fresh. Morrow, Rivers, and Marshall are solid building blocks.
Loser: Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx came close to a title last season and enter 2025 as a legit contender. But their draft class didn’t match the urgency of a team in win-now mode.
With few roster holes, the Lynx had a shot to add rotation-ready help, but the picks didn’t quite hit. Anastasiia Olairi Kosu is an intriguing long-term project with athletic upside, but she may take time to develop.
Dalayah Daniels and Aubrey Griffin bring experience, but neither has a clear path to making an impact on a deep roster. Both may struggle to earn a spot.
For a team looking to win now, the Lynx needed more plug-and-play talent. Instead, their class feels like a bet on potential.
Winner: Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks made a strong move in the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding pieces that help now and in the future. Sarah Ashlee Barker’s hot finish to the season pushed her into the top 10. The pick may have surprised some, but it was smart. The Sparks needed wing depth, and Barker brings scoring, toughness, and defense. She’s a high-energy player who competes on both ends.
LA also added Sania Feagin to bolster the frontcourt. With questions around Cameron Brink’s return, Feagin gives them size and defensive presence. Her instincts inside give the Sparks options in the post. Then there’s Liatu King, who is a long shot to make the team, but she was a double-double machine in college.
The Sparks are trending up, and this draft helped both the wing and post rotations.
Winner: Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark, already had one of the best starting lineups in the league. With their stars set, they used the draft to build depth.
Makayla Timpson fits perfectly in their up-tempo system. A rim runner with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, she brings energy, rebounding, and shot-blocking off the bench. She’s a little small for a center, but Timpson’s effort and tools give her a chance to anchor the paint. She should thrive playing next to veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard.
Indiana also added Bree Hall, a smart wing with defensive range and scoring touch. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley called her a glue player. Hall can guard multiple spots, make smart plays, and hit shots. Indiana needed steady depth behind its stars and got it.
Loser: Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries entered their first-ever draft needing help everywhere. But their 2025 class raised more questions than answers.
Taking Justė Jocytė at No. 5 felt like a reach. She’s an exciting international talent with upside, but not the most polished or ready-made player available. For an expansion team trying to make a splash, this pick didn’t deliver the kind of immediate help or buzz Golden State may have hoped for.
The bright spot was Shyanne Sellers at No. 17. A versatile combo guard with size, vision, and a better shot, Sellers can help right away. However, her lower body injury history is something to keep an eye on.
Kaitlyn Chen was a feel-good story — a spark in UConn’s title run after transferring from Princeton — but she faces long odds to make the roster. Golden State added some interesting guards, but ignored the frontcourt, which is puzzling for a team with so many holes. For a brand-new franchise, this draft felt more safe than bold.
Winner: Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm didn’t have a clear fit for Dominique Malonga, but when a generational talent is on the board, you make the pick. At 19, the EuroCup MVP brings size, athleticism, and skill that make her one of the top upside plays in the class. Malonga can handle the ball, shoot from range, and protect the rim — she might be Seattle’s future centerpiece.
With Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor, the Storm now have a strong bigs rotation.
Meanwhile, Seattle may have pulled off the steal of the draft by landing Serena Sundell at the top of Round 3. Many had her graded as a first-round talent. At 6-foot-1, Sundell is a tall floor general with elite passing and the ability to guard multiple spots. She could help fill the gap left by Jewell Loyd and back up Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The Storm closed their draft with Madison Conner, a sharpshooter who led the nation in made 3s. If she stays hot in camp, she could carve out a role.
