The confetti has settled, but the war rooms are still buzzing. For every franchise that nailed their 2026 WNBA Draft, another made a head-scratching blunder that could set them back for years. One team’s blockbuster trade sent shockwaves through the league, leaving analysts questioning their entire strategy, while another quietly snagged a future All-Star in the second round.

Thus, wasting no time, let’s delve deeper into some of the best picks from the draft while also adjudging its winners and losers.

Who Are the Winners From the 2026 WNBA Draft?

Seattle Storm: There hasn’t been any bigger winner than the Storm from the 2026 draft. After all, pulling off Awa Fam, Flau’jae Johnson, and Taina Mair is a gigantic task of immense proportions. Initially, the Storm went with two first-round picks in the draft. They used this to pick No. 3 Fam and Mair at No. 14. On the other hand, Johnson was picked by the Golden State Valkyries as an overall ninth pick.

But moments later, the Valkyries traded off Johnson for Storm’s second-round pick in Marta Suarez and a future second-round draft pick. Subsequently, the Storm returned with three first-round picks, along with a third-round pick in Grace VanSlooten. It’s a great win for the franchise, considering they were looking to replace a veteran in Nneka Ogwumike and find able companions for Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor.

Dallas Wings: Of course, cases can arise on why there’s a need for the Wings to sign yet another guard when they have Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale? But there are certain things to understand here. Their No. 1 pick, Azzi Fudd, isn’t just another regular guard. She has been a formidable shooter for the UConn Huskies and is a seasoned campaigner with over 1600 points to her name.

Furthermore, her partnership with Bueckers has been quite successful during their days at Storrs. Furthermore, the Wings also picked Zee Spearman in the third round of the draft, which shouldn’t be overlooked as well, considering the former was one of the very few positives for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in the season.

Washington Mystics: The Mystics went into the draft night with three first-round picks (two via Seattle Storm and New York Liberty). And as reality set in, they used it quite perfectly. Lauren Betts headlined their first-round pick at no.4. It was a major move considering Betts’ ceiling and the performances she pulled off throughout the March Madness this season.

They picked another one from the Championship-winning UCLA team, selecting Angela Dugalic at No. 9. Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss Rebels scoring leader this season, capped off their first round picks. They picked three more in Cassandre Prosper, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, and the experienced Rori Harmon in the next two rounds to form a team that looks quite daunting on paper, with Alysha Clark and Shakira Austin already on the team.

Others: Besides the top three, there are several other top winners from the draft. The UCLA Bruins are one of the teams that set a collegiate record by sending six players to the W in the draft. Minnesota Lynx’s acquisition of Olivia Miles as the No. 1 pick can also be put in the same bracket, given the collegiate careers Miles has had at Notre Dame and TCU.

Who Are the Losers From the 2026 WNBA Draft?

Chicago Sky: The Sky has had a bizarre time at the draft table on Monday. They went into the draft with the no. 5 pick, and surprisingly they chose UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez. Now, there’s no disrespect to Jaquez, but there were several other feasible options for the Sky to choose from. For instance, Jaquez’s teammate Kiki Rice was available for them, and even a scoring machine like Cotie McMahon was in front of them to choose from.

Another dynamic guard in Flau’jae Johnson was also available to them, but despite that, the Sky went for Jaquez. Now, Sky must have put their bet on Jaquez’s latest form at the March Madness, where she scored a double-double in the finals. The Sky has done a good job overall since Angel Reese left the team. They brought in veteran Skylar Diggins, a perfect replacement. But their decision to bet on Jaquez in the draft despite so many options will raise eyebrows throughout the season.

Golden State Valkyries: This one, of course, needs no introduction. The Valkyries initially made the best use of their No. 8 draft, picking Flau’jae Johnson. A dynamic backcourt player with volume scoring and shooting, Johnson would be a perfect fit for the Valkyries. But soon after this draft, the Valkyries traded her to the Seattle Storm for Marta Suarez and a future second-round pick.

The decision is beyond comprehension, and even the franchise’s front office declined to provide an explanation. “When I’m ready to speak more about what the strategy is behind it, I’ll speak on it,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said. “I don’t really speak about my strategy publicly because other teams are watching.”

Others:  There can be several other cases for the losers’ bracket. For instance, Portland Fire drafted an international prospect, Iyana Martin Carrion. The Spanish player is quite formidable and has been named EuroLeague Player of the Year and FIBA U-19 World Cup MVP. But the Fire also had seasoned options in Cotie McMahon and Flau’jae Johnson, which raised a few eyebrows.

Ta’Niya Latson going fifth in the second round is yet another option to choose from in this bracket, considering the season she had with the South Carolina Gamecocks, and thus can be said as a major loss for the former.

Who Are the Best Picks and Steals From the Draft Night?

There were some high-profile picks that could bid to be in the bracket. But none of them can beat the Minnesota Lynx picking Olivia Miles at No.2. Miles isn’t just a formidable scorer on the court. But also has immense prowess on the glass. As a result, many thought that the Wings could target Miles at No.2. But with the Wings going for Azzi Fudd, the Lynx got the bragging rights to choose Miles.

Awa Fam, going to Seattle at No. 3, is yet another great signing, given the international experience of the Spanish prospect. The same is true for Lauren Betts, whose two-way court expertise and great physicality in the paint can be immensely helpful to the Washington Mystics.

But there were also some low-key signings on the night that can prove to be vital when the season tips off. For instance, the Las Vegas Aces brought in Janiah Barker at the 29th overall pick. It doesn’t ring a bell to many. But when you look at her stats, she’s quite an impressive player in the backcourt and also did well in Tennessee’s dismal 2025-26 season, scoring over 14 points per game.

Subsequently, she can be a perfect backup on the court for the Aces, who already have A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young. On similar lines, other possible steals from the draft night are as follows:

• Ta’Niya Latson to the Los Angeles Sparks at No. 20 overall (20.2 collegiate career average with 45.5% from the field)
• Rori Harmon to the Washington Mystics at No. 34 overall (a Texas veteran with great playmaking prowess, with 6.2 assists per game)
• Serah William to the Connecticut Sun at No. 33 overall (expertise with scoring as well as on the boards)
• Madina Okot to the Atlanta Dream at No. 13 (averages 10+ in both points and rebounds across her collegiate career)

What Are the Biggest Blunders From the 2026 WNBA Draft?

This bracket can be a subjective debate in some instances. But none can ignore that the Indiana Fever did fumble a bit with their first-round pick. It’s very important to understand their roster dynamics now. The Fever already has a stacked backcourt featuring Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Sophie Cunningham.

Therefore, adding another guard to your roster when you have a strong player in the paint, Madina Okot, available, is a decision beyond understanding. Sky’s fumble in the first round, picking Gabriela Jaquez and the Golden State Valkyries, and trading off Johnson to Seattle are among the major blunders that defined draft night on Monday.

Which one of these picks surprised you the most during the WNBA Draft 2026? Do let us know in the comments.