If you’re looking for luck that actually lands, just watch the Dallas Wings. For the second straight year, they’re in a position to draft a franchise-changing star. Securing the No.1 pick in 2026 has completely shaken up projections. UCLA center Lauren Betts had long been the favorite, but Dallas winning the lottery has shifted the conversation.

In light of that drop, a reporter asked Betts after their win over Southern University, “The Dallas Wings just won the draft lottery, and wondering what you think about that.”

“That’s amazing. It’s so cool.” Betts replied with a laugh, “Yeah, I don’t have a lot to say about that right now, but that is really amazing, and I’m excited to see what the future holds, but I’m just loving being a Bruin as of right now, so I’m going to focus on that. But yeah, that’s super exciting. Super exciting.”

While she was shy to say it outright, it’s clear Betts is targeting to become that No.1 pick. Because so far, Awa Fam rose to the top in the ESPN 2026 mock draft with Betts dropping to No.2 when the Wings had the highest odds. However, when Paige Bueckers’ side officially won, ESPN dropped Betts all the way down to No.4, going to the Washington Mystics. Regardless, we are still in the infancy of the 2025-26 season, and Betts has ample opportunity to move up and eventually become the top pick.

Betts’ start to the 2025 season has been underwhelming by her standards. In 6 games, she is averaging 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 blocks. Last year, she averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks over the course of the entire season. However, the sticking point in her draft stock downturn is not with her numbers at all.

“(She) hasn’t done anything to drop on the draft board. But true centers in today’s WNBA might not fit as comfortably into offensive systems until they adjust to the style of play,” wrote Michael Voepel in the latest mock draft.

Even the Athletic pointed out some flaws in Betts’ game and that her game might not translate to the WNBA.”Her skills are better suited for college, where there is no defensive three-second rule and there aren’t enough skilled scorers on a team to spread the floor against her,” wrote Sabreena Merchant. Betts’ game around the rim, courtesy of her 6’7 size, is something she has dominated with.

That has turned into dependence, something WNBA scouts wouldn’t prefer. In her 4 seasons, she hasn’t shot a single three-pointer yet. Dallas Wings, courtesy of Jose Fernandez’s international contacts, might prefer an Awa Fam arch type or a shooter in Azzi Fudd to Lauren Betts.

“Very dynamic, mobile big. So, if you’re trying to pick someone to play alongside Paige Beckers, maybe it’s not the back-to-the-basket big. It’s this big right here. Awa Fam, who is tremendous with her athleticism, is a good finisher, soft touch, can extend the floor, has enough size. I think that’s why we have more motion than we thought,” Chiney Ogwumike said on NBA Today regarding Fam.

Betts has time to expand on her limitations while sharpening her current skills. Her passing, rebounding, and scoring around the rim remain elite, but to become that top pick, Betts will need to fulfill this final frontier. Beyond just her skills, her position as the top pick might be affected by factors beyond her control as well. Betts’ placement will have as much to do with Dallas’ big-picture plans as with her own development curve.

No. 1 Is Still in Play for Lauren Betts as Dallas Looks At ‘Optionality’

The Dallas Wings already have a generational talent on their squad: Paige Bueckers. Bueckers had a breakout rookie year. She won the Rookie of the Year, All-WNBA Second Team, and became the only All-Star starter in 2025. The Dallas Wings should build a squad around the Bueckers.

Their youth setup is already stacked with the likes of Maddy Siegrist, Diamond Miller, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinnerly. The Wings could use the No.1 pick as trading material. They could bring in experience. Dallas GM Curt Miller already revealed that he is getting multiple calls regarding the No.1 pick.

“Optionality is going to be key for us,” Miller said. “More trade phone calls are going to come for this number one pick than we’ve seen in years.” He also explained that the evaluation work is already underway with coach Jose Fernandez.

“We want someone who will grind day in and day out, have great character, represent us 24/7, and embrace the commitment to preparation and playing the right way,” Miller said.

The CBA situation is yet to be sorted out, and almost every veteran is currently a free agent. So, their team building remains a theory. It will depend on how free agency goes. If the Wings concede their No.1 pick, any other team could find Lauren Betts as an attractive prospect. While some things need to be ironed out, Betts remains one of the best talents available with tremendous upside.