The Storm's Draft Haul Just Gave Seattle Fans a Reason to Believe in the Rebuild

The Seattle Storm didn't get the top two picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft, but they might have pulled off something even better. While Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles went first and second overall, the Storm used their picks strategically to address every major need heading into a rebuild that suddenly looks a lot more promising.

Fam Gives the Storm a Versatile Star to Build Around

At No. 3, Seattle landed Awa Fam, and honestly, she was the best player available on the board. Yeah, the Storm lost three elite 3-point shooters from last year and desperately needed a point guard successor to Sue Bird, but Fam is the kind of generational talent you can't pass on.

Here's what makes this work: Fam is a 6-foot-4 post who can do literally everything. She's got phenomenal scoring and passing ability, incredible footwork, and she can step out to hit mid-range shots or stretch the floor to three. The Storm can pair her with Dominique Malonga, setting up one of the most versatile frontcourts in the entire league. Malonga at the 5, Fam at the 4, and suddenly you have two posts with all the tools to become franchise cornerstones.

Johnson Was a Steal, Mair Was the Surprise

The real genius move came when Seattle traded Marta Suárez and a 2028 second-round pick to grab Flau'Jae Johnson at No. 14. Johnson was selected at No. 8 and was projected as high as No. 5 in mock drafts all season. For a player who was in lottery discussions, that's an absolute steal.

Johnson is way more than just a rapper who plays basketball. She was a key piece of LSU's 2023 national championship team and made the AP All-America Third Team as both a junior and senior. She shot 38 percent or better from three in each of her final three seasons, with 132 makes over that stretch. She's not just a sniper either, she's a complete offensive weapon who can elevate the Storm's efficiency from downtown after they limped to 28.8 percent from three in 2024.

Then there's Taina Mair, the Duke point guard the Storm grabbed at No. 14. She was projected to go at No. 25 by ESPN, but her Sweet 16 and Elite Eight performances in the NCAA Tournament changed everything. She dropped 22 points with five rebounds, four assists and two steals against No. 2-seed LSU in the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight, she had 21 points, seven boards, six assists and four steals against UCLA. She averaged 5.6 assists as a senior and can defend at an elite level with 2.5 steals per game.

A Complete Rebuild Blueprint

Walk through it: a 4-5 in Fam, a 2-3 in Johnson, and a legitimate point guard in Mair. That's a well-rounded draft class that addresses every hole in the roster. The Storm just gave themselves the blueprint for a real rebuild.

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