The Mystics, Storm, Lynx and Wings Dominated the Draft, and the Grades Tell the Story

The WNBA draft came through Monday night, and if you were watching, you saw some teams make moves that set them up for a real run. The grades are in, and a few franchises absolutely crushed it.

Washington's Bold Rebuild Gets an A+

The Washington Mystics earned top marks for the night, and it wasn't even close. They grabbed six players total, including three first-rounders that have real potential to change the conversation around a team that's been struggling. Center Lauren Betts from UCLA went No. 4 overall, and forward Angela Dugalic, also from UCLA, came in at No. 9. Both of them helped lead the Bruins to the NCAA championship on April 5, and now they're heading to the nation's capital to be part of a fresh start.

The Mystics have been rough lately. They went 16-28 last season and 14-26 the year before, missing the playoffs both times. It's been a long road since they won the franchise's only title back in 2019, and they haven't made it past the first round since then. But this draft class gives them real hope. Add forward Cotie McMahon from Ole Miss at No. 11, and you've got three rookies who could contribute right away. Plus, the Mystics already had lottery picks from last year in guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen, both of whom were All-Stars as rookies. They also have point guard Georgia Amoore at No. 6, who sat out last season due to a knee injury but is healthy now.

Building Something in D.C.

Betts is a legit difference maker. She can hit face-up shots, she's got low-block moves, and her defense is elite level. That's rare for a center in today's WNBA, where traditional big men aren't as popular as they used to be. Dugalic is exactly what teams are chasing right now: a big who can shoot it and do everything well. Her stats might not jump off the page, but if you watch her play, you see why she's valuable.

The Mystics had the most picks of any team on draft night, which is a bold statement in itself. Not all of them will stick on the roster, but that top three should absolutely contribute this season. After firing general manager Jamila Wideman on April 6, coach Sydney Johnson took control of basketball operations. It was a weird move to make so close to the draft, but it didn't slow them down.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.