Rebuilding Mystics prepare for WNBA draft after several stars opt out

Monday’s WNBA draft will be missing some star power after a handful of top prospects opted to return to school. That’s bad news for rebuilding teams like the Washington Mystics, who own the third, fourth and sixth selections.

A few months ago, Washington’s bounty of picks could’ve added a handful of elite prospects to lay the foundation for a franchise that cleaned house this offseason with a new coach and general manager. But with several key players opting to return to school, WNBA teams are recalibrating.

Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and Connecticut’s Azzi Fudd could’ve been first-round picks on Monday. Instead, they will all spend another year in school.

Their reasons varied, but the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement appears to be a driving factor.

Several WNBA players have said they’ll look to renegotiate the deal next offseason, shifting the revenue split to increase salaries.

WNBA rookies are slated to make just $78,831 in salary this year. Any new agreement would likely send that number into the six figures.

With name, image and likeness opportunities soaring and the pending House v. NCAA settlement promising revenue sharing for student-athletes, staying in school is more enticing — and profitable — than it used to be.

“If the CBA changes, then perhaps the 2026 draft class is stacked,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said. “That’s sort of the intriguing part about it. … I think that the feeling is, especially with no Olivia Miles in the draft this year, that Dallas is holding on tightly to that [No. 1] pick.”

At least one WNBA general manager, the Dallas Wings’ Curt Miller, said the financial aspects are likely overblown. Prospects might just want to finish their degrees or hone their skills.

“I think at times, there’s too much made about salary and too much made about what’s going on in college, but again, we don’t live in the shoes of the collegiate athletes,” he said. “The top players that we’re talking to, their endorsements are going to travel with them.”

The financials were likely a factor for Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers, who is widely regarded as the top prospect in this year’s class. Her name, image and likeness deals are worth more than $1.4 million, according to the analysts at On3.

Bueckers is widely expected to head to the Wings as the No. 1 pick on Monday. The projections are hazy after that.

Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman, who took over in January, has her work cut out for her.

“It actually creates an opportunity for us to build strength in a couple of different ways. Obviously, with just one pick, maybe you can do one thing at a time,” Wideman said of her three first-round selections. “We have a chance to build depth.”

The Mystics have draft ammunition and playing time to spare on a thin roster.

Former MVP Elena Delle Donne officially retired earlier this month. Ariel Atkins, one of the last remaining players from the 2019 championship team, was traded to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the No. 3 pick.

In theory, the Mystics could send a bevy of picks to Dallas in an attempt to land Bueckers, a potential franchise-altering player. Rumors have percolated for weeks that the Minnesota native would rather not play for the Wings.

Bueckers hasn’t addressed those theories, though. And the Wings would be reticent to pass on a top talent.

“I don’t think Curt Miller’s gotten a call about moving No. 1,” Lobo said. “I think people just assume that No. 1 is untouchable this year because Paige Bueckers is that kind of a player.”

Wideman said packaging the picks in a trade isn’t appealing anyway. The Mystics have too many needs.

“Having that collection of picks has always been about the opportunity to onboard a lot of talent at once,” she said.

With Bueckers likely off the board, the Mystics will still have an array of options to choose from.

French center Dominique Malonga is one of the most promising international prospects in recent memory. USC forward Kiki Iriafen put on a show during this year’s NCAA Tournament, carrying the Trojans after superstar guard Juju Watkins tore her ACL. Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers, with a combination of playmaking and shooting ability, offers a hometown option.

A championship might not be on the near horizon, but Washington is still an exciting landing spot for developing players.

“Washington is a team that if you’re there, you’re going to have a chance to make the roster and to become a part of their rotation,” Lobo said. “New front office, new head coach, that is definitely a place you want to go.”