Minnesota Lynx in a Season of Redemption
The Minnesota Lynx are having what many would call a classic revenge season. After losing the WNBA title to the Liberty last year in a gripping Game 5 that went into overtime, the team seems motivated like never before. They’ve spent the majority of this season at the top of the rankings and are gearing up to enter the playoffs as the number one seed.
Naphesa Collier is a potential frontrunner for the regular season MVP. It’s shaping up to be one of those typical rebound seasons where a great team comes back strong after a minor setback in pursuit of their goals. But perhaps what’s making this year particularly interesting is the fact that they’re in line for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Yes, that’s right. Back in April, Minnesota traded their 2025 first-round pick to Chicago in exchange for Hailey Van Lith, which has positioned them to receive Chicago’s unprotected 2026 pick. Chicago, meanwhile, dealt the third pick of this year’s draft for Ariel Atkins, and with Angel Reese sidelined for much of the season, they’ve found themselves at an 8-24 record and currently hold the second spot in the lottery. So, in a way, Minnesota sits both in second place and the first position in the lottery.
There are complexities with the Collective Bargaining Agreement that still need to be worked out, which means we’ll have to see how realistic it is for the Lynx to chase both a championship title and that coveted No. 1 draft pick.
Looking back at last year’s draft, the expansion team, the Valkyries, were selected after four lottery teams. This brings up the question: will the same pattern emerge for Toronto and Portland, who will be entering their first seasons in 2026? The odds for future lottery picks have changed from last year, as only four teams were involved. This all will need to be finalized around April next year, leading up to the draft.
Still, the possibility for the Lynx to win the WNBA title in the fall while also securing the No. 1 pick in the draft next spring feels very tangible. If Phee manages to snag the MVP, it could lead to an incredible season where she welcomes the No. 1 pick alongside her achievements.
Setting aside the extraordinary nature of winning both a title and the first pick, Minnesota’s position as a top-tier team in a strong drafting year could see them landing a high prospect. There’s a good chance that players like Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, Flau’jae Johnson, or other top talents could make their way onto the Lynx roster next season.
For Minnesota, it’s an exciting scenario. Not only are they in the running for the championship, but they could also be welcoming promising futures at the same time.
