Now that the Golden State Valkyries have shown a glimpse into what their possible roster could look like, let’s take a look at another WNBA Mock Draft before free agency starts in February.

1. Dallas Wings – Paige Bueckers, PG (UConn)

I don’t see this No. 1 pick changing unless Paige Bueckers decides to throw the WNBA Draft into a tailspin and return to UConn for the 2025-26 NCAAW season. She does still have an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic; even though she has publicly said that this will be her last year, she could absolutely stun everyone and stay at UConn one more season.

2. Los Angeles Sparks – Olivia Miles, PG (Notre Dame)

The Notre Dame guard has played out of her mind this season for the Fighting Irish. She’s ranked 4th in the entire NCAA in assists per game with 7.1 and top 10 in the ACC in points (9th with 16.9), field goal percentage (55.9%) and assists (1st with 7.1). Her play this season has her jumping up the mock draft boards. Miles still has another year of eligibility so whether or not she declares for the WNBA Draft remains to be seen. If she does, I don’t see her falling beyond the No. 2 spot.

3. Chicago Sky – Sonia Citron, SG (Notre Dame)

In my last mock draft, I had the Sky taking Olivia Miles. However, her teammate in Sonia Citron has also started to showcase her shooting abilities this season for Notre Dame. She’s having her best season thus far from the 3-point line, shooting 40.4% through 12 games. Citron has size and versatility at the wing spot that aligns perfectly with what head coach Tyler Marsh and general manager Jeff Pagliocca want for the 2025 Chicago Sky.

4. Washington Mystics – Kiki Iriafen, PF/C (USC)

Iriafen has fallen down the mock draft boards, mostly because of Olivia Miles’ incredible junior season. I still see her going as a top 5 pick and landing in Washington. The Mystics just hired their new head coach in former Sky assistant Sydney Johnson and general manager in WNBA veteran Jamila Wideman. With Wideman’s lack of roster construction experience, there’s some questions about what the roster will look like, but adding another center to work and develop behind Aaliyah Edwards is never a bad way to go.

5. Golden State Valkyries – Azzi Fudd, SG (UConn)

Now that there’s some clarity around the new expansion team’s roster, going after a hot hand at the arc in Azzi Fudd is a solid foundational piece. However, Fudd’s struggle to stay consistently healthy has her draft stock sitting in a weird spot. Even with the consistent injury bouts – including another knee sprain in December – what she can do when healthy is impactful, seeing that she’s shooting just shy of 40% on the season. Her relationship with Golden State Warrior Steph Curry could also help sway this pick in the Valkyries favor.

6. Washington Mystics – Shyanne Sellers. G (Maryland)

With the rise of Olivia Miles, some other guards that may have gone at the end of the first round are starting to see their stocks rise. Enter Shyanne Sellers who’s been consistent and efficient her entire collegiate career. Just this senior season, she’s averaging 12.9 points a game while shooting 46.1% from the floor; she’s dishing out 5.4 assists a game, the 2nd best in the Big Ten. Sellers would add some depth and development towards the future for a brand new front office and head coach.

7. New York Liberty – Dominique Malonga, C (France)

The Liberty did lose forward Kayla Thornton in the expansion draft, leaving some opportunities open for some other forwards to step in. Those instant impact players will most likely come from free agency for New York, but they have the blessing and ability to use this draft as a way to get ahead of the developmental curve that’s coming in 2026 and beyond. Getting one of the top international prospects in Malonga is the way to go, especially with the Liberty’s sustained success at developing talent from overseas.

8. Indiana Fever – Aneesah Morrow, F (LSU)

I don’t see Morrow going higher than No. 8. Indiana is an easy slide-in for Morrow to become the playmaker alongside Caitlin Clark, and is right up the road from her hometown of Chicago. Her size is what keeps her so low on many mock draft boards, standing at just 6-foot-1 as a small forward. Her grit and tenacity is efficient, as she is averaging a double-double of 18.1 points and 14.0 rebounds a game through 17 games in the SEC.

9. Seattle Storm – Georgia Amoore, G (Kentucky)

The Seattle Storm is really living up to their name with thunderous problems in the locker room that led to guard Jewell Loyd asking to be traded. With all the recent issues, the draft may be the biggest spot for the Storm to add talent, and replacing the 2-time Olympian in Loyd with Amoore is an option. Amoore’s numbers have pushed her up on draft boards, but her size at 5-foot-6 has her limited in going higher than No. 9.

10. Chicago Sky – Te-Hina Paopao, G (South Carolina)

Getting anyone from Dawn Staley’s camp in South Carolina will more than likely lead to consistent success at the pro level. Getting their hot-handed guard who has played alongside current Sky center Kamilla Cardoso is something hard to pass up for the Sky. However, I could very much see the Sky trading this pick away in order to get some bigger names like Loyd. If they don’t and Paopao is still available, she’s an option to add depth to the guard group.

11. Minnesota Lynx – Makayla Timpson, F (Florida State)

Timpson’s play at Florida State has her name starting to pop up higher and higher on draft boards, and I understand why. In the ACC, she ranks in the top 5 in points per game (4th with 17.9), field goal percentage (5th with 54.2%) and blocks per game (2nd with 3.1). She’s averaging a double-double with 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds a game. That’s a level of efficiency that would slide in perfectly for the Lynx forward group.

12. Phoenix Mercury – Janiah Barker, F (UCLA)

Barker’s pure size at 6-foot-4 as a forward is a huge plus for the Mercury in their forward group; you can never have too much size. In 15 games at UCLA, she’s averaging just shy of a double-double with 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a game. Adding her to learn and develop behind Brittney Griner if she does return to Phoenix is a great way for the Mercury to get ahead of the developmental jump that’s coming in a few seasons.