The Washington Mystics shook up WNBA Draft predictions with an unexpected move that involved trading the No. 1 draft pick to the Atlanta Dream. The Mystics have now acquired the third and 14th overall picks in this year’s Draft.
Washington will also have the right to swap their first-round pick with the Dream in the 2023 WNBA Draft which Atlanta originally acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks.
“We feel that this trade gives us the opportunity to have more options in both the 2022 and 2023 drafts,” stated Thibault. “We are very comfortable with all three players that we have ranked as the possible top three picks in the draft. Whichever player comes to us will add to the depth of this year’s team and will have the chance to grow into a very important role over the next few years.”
“We didn’t have any other picks in this draft and now we have #14 to try to find another good young player that can be a part of our future,” he continued. “I’m excited for the draft on Monday night and our fans should be excited too.”
The Washington Mystics will now be drafting third overall for the third time in franchise history and for the first time since taking Stacey Dales with the third selection of the 2002 WNBA Draft.
Murriel Page, who will be inducted in the Mystics’ Hall of Fame this summer, was also selected third overall in 1998.
The Mystics have only drafted out of the 14th overall slot once in franchise history, selecting Jenna Smith during the 2010 WNBA draft.