As the WNBA’s regular season nears its end, seven playoff-eliminated teams are shifting focus to next year — and taking aim at the 2027 draft lottery.
No. 14 Connecticut sits in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick with a 21-65 two-year record, edging newcomer No. 13 Toronto’s .262 win percentage.
The Sun could clinch top odds this week, going all-in on the future after announcing President Jennifer Rizotti and GM Morgan Tuck will remain with the Houston-bound team next season.
The draft lottery relies on back-to-back records as an anti-tanking measure, giving the Sun and Tempo an advantage over 2025 playoff contender No. 15 Seattle despite the Storm’s lower 2026 win tally.
No. 12 Chicago is currently third in line to land the No. 1 pick, but thanks to a previous trade with No. 6 Washington, the Sky will automatically swap first-round selections with the Mystics.
No. 9 LA, No. 10 Portland, and No. 11 Phoenix round out the lottery teams, after the Mercury’s 2025 finals run dampened its shot at next year’s top recruit.
