The WNBA Draft Lottery is set for November 23, and for the second straight year, the Dallas Wings will enter the draw as the favorite to secure the No. 1 overall pick. Following a season of transition and promise — highlighted by the selection of Paige Bueckers in 2024 — Dallas now has a 42% chance to once again land the top spot, positioning the franchise for another major offseason storyline.

The event, which will air live on ESPN for the 14th consecutive year, marks the next pivotal moment in what has already been a busy offseason for the WNBA. Not only is the league working through collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with the players’ union, but it is also preparing for a significant expansion to 15 teams with the debut of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in 2026.

Wings Aim for Back-to-Back No. 1 Picks

For the Dallas Wings, winning the draft lottery could accelerate an already promising rebuild. The franchise made waves last April by drafting Bueckers, who went on to deliver one of the most impactful rookie seasons in league history. Now, under the direction of newly introduced head coach Jose Fernandez, the Wings could once again find themselves with a franchise-altering opportunity.

“This is an exciting time for the organization,” Fernandez said during his introductory press conference at Reunion Tower in Dallas. “We’re building something special here — a foundation that combines youth, depth, and experience. The future of women’s basketball in Dallas is bright.”

By virtue of finishing with the WNBA’s worst record, the Wings are guaranteed no worse than the No. 3 overall pick. A second straight top selection could allow Fernandez and general manager Curt Miller to add another cornerstone piece to complement Bueckers and star guard Arike Ogunbowale.

Minnesota and Seattle in the Hunt

While Dallas sits in pole position, the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm are also strong contenders in the 2025 lottery sweepstakes.

Minnesota, which owns Chicago’s first-round pick through a previous trade, has a 26% chance of landing the top spot. Despite finishing the regular season with the WNBA’s best record, the Lynx were bounced by the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals — and the lottery pick gives head coach Cheryl Reeve a rare opportunity to reload an already powerful roster.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm hold Los Angeles’ top pick, giving them a 16.7% chance to win the lottery. The Storm remain in a semi-rebuild following the retirement of Sue Bird and could use the pick to add depth around franchise cornerstones Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor.

The Washington Mystics enter the drawing with a 9.8% chance, while the Chicago Sky — holding Connecticut’s first-rounder — round out the field with 5.5% odds.

New Era of Talent and Expansion

While the 2025 draft class may not have a consensus generational prospect like Bueckers a year ago, scouts and analysts agree that it is loaded with elite college talent.

Names to watch include Lauren Betts (UCLA), Azzi Fudd (UConn), Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), and Olivia Miles (TCU) — all of whom are expected to bring star power to a league that continues to grow both in visibility and competitive depth.

“The 2025 class has range — shooters, facilitators, interior defenders,” said one WNBA scout. “There might not be one clear No. 1, but there are at least five players who could go top three depending on team fit.”

Beyond the draft, league officials confirmed that expansion preparations are well underway. With the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, the WNBA will expand to 15 teams for the upcoming season, marking the first major growth since the Las Vegas Aces joined in 2018. Details regarding the expansion draft for those new franchises are expected to be finalized after the CBA negotiations conclude.

CBA Extension and What Comes Next

The league’s labor discussions continue to loom large. The WNBA and the players’ union mutually agreed to extend the CBA negotiation deadline from October 31 to November 30, signaling optimism that both sides can strike a deal before the new year.

Once an agreement is reached, the league is expected to confirm that the 2025 WNBA Draft will take place in April, continuing its traditional schedule.

WNBA head of league operations Bethany Donaphin will reveal the lottery results during the televised event on ESPN, as fans, coaches, and front offices await what could be another defining moment for the rapidly growing league.

Outlook: Dallas Poised to Shape the Future Again

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Dallas — and for the league itself. If the Wings secure another No. 1 pick, they’ll have the opportunity to add yet another franchise cornerstone, potentially shaping the WNBA landscape for years to come.

For a team that already boasts one of the league’s most passionate fanbases, the combination of Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and a top-tier 2025 draft addition could mark the beginning of a true championship window.

In a league evolving faster than ever, the WNBA Draft Lottery may once again serve as a reminder: the balance of power in women’s basketball can shift with the flip of a ping-pong ball.