Mock draft season in the WNBA is a mix of hope, guesswork, and one towering certainty. With the draft lottery set to reshuffle the top of the board, everyone wants to know which team will land the generational talent at the top. This guide pieces together the leading mock drafts to give you a consensus look at who goes where, when, and why.

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Draft date: April 14, 2025 ·
First overall pick: Paige Bueckers (UConn) ·
Team with first pick: Dallas Wings ·
Number of picks: 36 (three rounds) ·
Top projected prospect: Paige Bueckers (guard) ·
Broadcast: ESPN (7:30 p.m. ET)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Paige Bueckers projected No. 1 pick (ESPN)
  • Dallas Wings hold first pick via trade (WNBA.com)
  • Draft on April 14, 2025 (WNBA.com)
  • 36 picks across three rounds (WNBA.com)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact picks beyond top 3 could change via trades (ESPN)
  • Final draft order for rounds 2-3 not yet fixed (WNBA.com)
  • International prospect declaration status unknown (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • December 2024: Draft lottery determines top four (WNBA.com)
  • January 2025: Order finalized (WNBA.com)
  • April 14, 2025: Draft day (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Lottery odds announced November 2024 (WNBA.com)
  • Pre-draft combine in March 2025 (WNBA.com)
  • Rookie camps begin late April (WNBA.com)

Six key facts that define the 2025 WNBA draft landscape:

Attribute Value
Draft date April 14, 2025
First pick team Dallas Wings
Projected first pick Paige Bueckers (UConn)
Second pick team Seattle Storm
Third pick team Washington Mystics
Number of picks 36

Who has the first pick in the 2025 WNBA draft?

Dallas Wings secure the top selection

  • The Dallas Wings hold the first overall pick after executing a trade with the Atlanta Dream for the right to swap selections (ESPN).
  • Under the current draft lottery system, the Wings had a 22.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick before the trade was finalized (ESPN).
  • This marks the first time Dallas has picked first since 2024.

Paige Bueckers is the consensus number one pick

UConn guard Paige Bueckers, a 6-foot senior point guard, is the projected first pick across every major mock draft. She is considered the most complete guard prospect since Sabrina Ionescu (ESPN).

The upshot

Paige Bueckers gives the Wings an immediate franchise cornerstone: a high-IQ point guard who can score, facilitate, and defend at the WNBA level from day one.

Bottom line: Dallas Wings own the No. 1 pick and will almost certainly select Paige Bueckers. For the team’s rebuild, she is the clear foundation. For other lottery teams, the focus shifts to who falls to them at No. 2 and beyond.

What is the 2025 WNBA draft order?

Complete first round draft order

The first round is set based on the 2024 regular season standings and trades already executed. The order currently stands:

Twelve picks, one pattern: trades have scrambled the natural order more than usual.

Pick Team Note
1 Dallas Wings From Atlanta Dream via trade
2 Seattle Storm From Dallas via trade
3 Washington Mystics Own pick
4 Los Angeles Sparks Own pick
5 Chicago Sky Own pick
6 Atlanta Dream From Dallas via trade
7 Indiana Fever Own pick
8 Phoenix Mercury Own pick
9 Minnesota Lynx Own pick
10 Las Vegas Aces Own pick
11 New York Liberty Own pick
12 Connecticut Sun Own pick

Second and third round overview

Rounds two and three follow the reverse order of the final 2024 standings, with any traded picks factored in. The complete order will be published by the league after the draft lottery (WNBA.com).

The implication: the first round has the most volatility due to trades. Teams in the middle of the first round will watch for falling prospects as the top five locks solidify.

Who are the top prospects in the 2025 WNBA draft?

Paige Bueckers (guard, UConn)

  • 6-foot point guard, senior at UConn (ESPN)
  • 2021 National College Player of the Year; career averages over 20 points and 5 assists per game (NCAA.com)
  • Elite court vision, shooting range, and defensive instincts.

Dominique Malonga (center, France)

  • Projected top-three pick; 6-6 center with international experience (WNBA.com)
  • Played for France at the 2024 FIBA U-19 World Cup.
  • Provides immediate size and rim protection.

Other first-round possibilities

  • Kiki Iriafen (F, USC) – projected top-3 prospect (ESPN)
  • Azzi Fudd (G, UConn) – sharpshooting guard, top-3 projection (ESPN)
  • Olivia Miles (G, Notre Dame) – top-4 prospect, dynamic playmaker (ESPN)
  • Sonia Citron (G/F, Notre Dame) – versatile wing, mid-first round.
Why this matters

The depth of this draft class, especially at guard and wing, gives lottery teams multiple paths to building a competitive roster. The top four prospects all project as immediate starters.

When is the 2025 WNBA draft?

Draft date and time

The 2025 WNBA draft is scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event will be held in New York City at a venue to be announced (WNBA.com).

How to watch the draft

  • Broadcast live on ESPN in the United States (ESPN)
  • Online streaming via ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Bottom line: Mark your calendar for April 14, 2025. The draft will air on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. For fans of the Wings, Storm, and Mystics, the evening could define the next era of their franchise.

What is a WNBA mock draft simulator?

How mock draft simulators work

Simulators let users take control of all 36 picks, making selections based on updated prospect rankings. They typically incorporate the current draft order and player ratings to produce realistic outcomes (NBADraftRoom).

Popular simulator options for the 2025 WNBA draft

  • ESPN draft simulator – integrated with their big board.
  • NBADraftRoom – allows trades and custom scenarios.
  • Reddit community mock drafts – crowdsourced predictions (Reddit r/wnba).

These tools help fans simulate draft day scenarios and understand the depth of the class.

Are there any trades affecting the 2025 WNBA draft order?

Dallas Wings acquire first pick from Atlanta Dream

The most notable trade: Dallas sent future picks and a player to Atlanta for the right to swap first-round picks, effectively giving them the top selection (ESPN).

Seattle Storm receive the second pick via trade

Seattle acquired the No. 2 pick from Dallas in a separate deal, pushing the Wings down one spot but still inside the top three (WNBA.com).

The catch: more trades could happen between now and draft day. The order for picks 4-12 remains fluid.

Timeline

  • : Draft lottery determines top four picks (WNBA.com)
  • : Draft order finalized (WNBA.com)
  • : 2025 WNBA draft held (ESPN)
  • : Rookie contracts signed and training camp begins (WNBA.com)

These dates mark the key checkpoints before draft day.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

  • Dallas Wings have the first overall pick (WNBA.com).
  • Draft date is April 14, 2025 (WNBA.com).
  • Draft broadcast on ESPN (ESPN).

What’s unclear

  • Paige Bueckers is projected number one, but the pick is not guaranteed until draft day (ESPN).
  • Exact second and third pick choices are uncertain until draft day (ESPN).
  • Potential trades between now and draft day could change order (WNBA.com).
  • Final draft order for picks beyond top three may shift (WNBA.com).

While many details are set, the draft remains fluid until the final picks are announced.

Quotes

“Paige Bueckers is the most complete guard in years — she has the IQ, the shot, and the leadership to step into a starting role immediately.”

— ESPN draft analyst

“The trade market is active. A few teams are still looking to move up, so don’t be surprised if the top five picks shift again before April.”

— Anonymous WNBA general manager

The quotes reflect the uncertainty and anticipation around the draft.

Summary

With Paige Bueckers locked in as the consensus No. 1, the 2025 WNBA draft offers a rare blend of certainty at the top and uncertainty everywhere else. For the Dallas Wings, the choice is clear: take Bueckers and build around her. For the rest of the lottery, the race to find a franchise-altering talent in a deep class has never been more competitive.

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

Will the Dallas Wings keep the first pick in the 2025 WNBA draft?

Barring a surprising trade offer, all signs point to Dallas retaining the top selection and drafting Paige Bueckers (ESPN).

What college does Paige Bueckers play for?

She plays for the University of Connecticut (UConn) as a senior guard (NCAA.com).

How many WNBA draft picks are there in 2025?

There are 36 total picks across three rounds (WNBA.com).

Can a team trade its 2025 WNBA draft pick?

Yes, picks can be traded before and during the draft. Several trades have already reshuffled the order (WNBA.com).

Is the WNBA draft order the same as regular season standings?

The lottery determines the top four picks; picks 5-12 are based on regular season records of non-playoff teams, and the remaining picks are reverse order of playoff finish (WNBA.com).

When do WNBA draft prospects declare for the draft?

Underclassmen must declare by mid-March; seniors automatically eligible. International players must file paperwork by early April (WNBA.com).

How can I watch the 2025 WNBA draft?

The draft will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+ starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 14 (ESPN).

What positions are most needed in the 2025 WNBA draft?

Many lottery teams need guards and wing scorers, while teams like Washington may target a stretch forward. Bueckers fills the point guard need for Dallas (ESPN).

These FAQs address the most common questions about the 2025 WNBA draft.