A surprise swap later stole the 2026 WNBA Draft spotlight, after Golden State and Seattle executed an abrupt, high-profile second-round trade with LSU star Flau’jae Johnson at the center of the action.
After selecting the 2023 NCAA champion No. 8 overall, the Valkyries sent Johnson to the Storm less than an hour later, receiving No. 16 selection Maria Suarez (TCU) plus a second-round 2028 pick in return.
“The opportunity to add Flau’jae was really exciting,“ Seattle GM Talisa Rhea said. “We had been in conversations, and so, as we got closer to that pick, once it became a reality, just really excited.”
While not unprecedented, immediately trading off a first-round pick is a rare WNBA occurrence, with Golden State saying little about its quick pivot.
“I’m going to take a beat to be able to eloquently give a response,” Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin said from the floor. “I don’t have a lot of details to share.”
Later, however, Nyanin opened up about the move, telling ESPN the decision was made well before Monday's event.
“Seattle and I had an agreement to trade picks prior to any athlete selection,” she said. “This had nothing to do with Flau’jae.”
Late 2026 WNBA Draft Steals Follow Flau'Jae Johnson Trade
Top-tier recruits extended far beyond the draft's first round, with WNBA teams cleaning up with prime second- and third-round selections thanks to a remarkably deep 2026 draft class.
Other late-round steals included LA selecting 2025 DI leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina) at No. 20. Afterwards, reigning champion Las Vegas took Tennessee standout Janiah Barker at No. 29, before Washington drafted Texas star Rori Harmon at No. 34.
