The highly anticipated WNBA Draft Lottery has officially wrapped up, setting the stage for next year’s draft. Excitement was abuzz as the event unfolded, with all eyes initially on the Los Angeles Sparks, who entered the lottery with the best odds on paper. However, the spotlight shifted when the lottery concluded, and the coveted No. 1 pick, which is projected to be tagged for Paige Bueckers, didn’t head to LA as expected.

Instead, the Dallas Wings, who technically held the best odds, emerged victorious and secured the top pick, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting draft season. The franchise entered the lottery with technical odds of 45.4%. Their favorable position stemmed from the 2023 trade of Marina Mabrey to the Chicago Sky, a move that has now positioned the Texas-based franchise to potentially land the highly anticipated Paige Bueckers.

The news has already sent waves of excitement through the team, with Dallas star Arike Ogunbowale, the league’s second-highest-paid player under her 2023 contract that runs through 2025, expressing her emotions on social media. Taking to X, she poured her heart out, tweeting, “I just fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD! 😭😭😭😭.”

The energy didn’t stop there—Ogunbowale also shared an Instagram story celebrating the moment, reposting the announcement of the No. 1 lottery pick heading to Dallas and adding her own enthusiastic caption: “#1 coming to Dallas yessssirrrrrr!” Well, Ogunbowale’s enthusiasm is completely justified. Having been with the franchise since her debut in 2019, she’s put in countless efforts to elevate the Wings. Despite her dedication, the team has yet to secure a championship and has only made the playoffs three times.

While the Dallas Wings saw the stars align to secure the No. 1 pick, the Los Angeles Sparks will have to settle for a different outcome, navigating a more competitive draft landscape alongside the other teams.

Draft Order Finalized: Sparks, Sky, and Mystics secure top picks as Wings eye a bright future

Rounding out the rest of the draft order, the Los Angeles Sparks secured the second pick, followed by the Chicago Sky at third, and the Washington Mystics claiming the fourth spot. Despite entering the lottery with a solid 44.2% chance to snag the top pick, the Dallas Wings edged out the Sparks, leveraging their technical advantage despite having only a 22.7% chance to secure the coveted No. 1 spot. With the second pick in hand, the Sparks are now eyeing Kiki Iriafen, who ESPN projects as the second overall pick in their latest mock drafts.

The Chicago Sky, already at a disadvantage due to their 2023 trade, secured the third pick in the lottery, giving them a chance to potentially land Paige Bueckers’ teammate, Azzi Fudd. However, whether Fudd joins the draft will depend on her decision to declare for next year’s selection. If she does, the Windy City could see another major talent join the roster, further enhancing the Sky’s young core.

The Washington Mystics, only having won lottery once in 1999, entered with the slimmest odds—just a 10.4% chance at the top pick. Unsurprisingly, they ended up with the final spot in the lottery, securing the fourth overall selection. The Mystics now have the opportunity to potentially select Olivia Miles, who is ranked fourth in ESPN’s latest mock draft. While the Mystics may have to settle for the fourth pick, this isn’t the first time the Dallas Wings have been fortunate enough to land the coveted No. 1 spot.

The Dallas Wings last held the No. 1 pick in 2021, selecting Charli Collier, who is no longer in the league. This time around, the team is hoping for a different outcome. Earlier this month, Dallas welcomed Curt Miller as their new general manager, but they still have work to do—Dallas is hunting for a new head coach after parting ways with Latricia Trammell last month.

How well the team capitalizes on their lottery win remains to be seen.