"Much must be settled before then. The WNBA is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the union, the story that has dominated the narrative around the league all year. The draft lottery, expansion drafts for Toronto and Portland and a mammoth free agency that will include most players not on rookie contracts all will have to take place before the 2026 draft."
"If the Wings win the draft lottery, it would mark their third No. 1 pick in six seasons, though their top pick in 2021, Charlie Collier, is no longer playing in the WNBA. Betts was a first-team All-American last season, averaging 20.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 2.9 BPG while shooting 64.8% from the field. She is a traditional center who doesn't shoot 3-pointers. WNBA teams must decide if that's a major drawback or something she can add to her strong low-"
Lauren Betts is a 6-foot-7 senior center at UCLA coming off a Final Four appearance and positioned as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Several league-wide issues remain unresolved, including collective bargaining negotiations, a draft lottery, expansion drafts for Toronto and Portland and a significant free agency affecting non-rookie players. The Dallas Wings, despite drafting Paige Bueckers in 2025, struggled, fired their coach and could hold another top pick. Betts averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks while shooting 64.8%, and teams must weigh her traditional low-post game against modern perimeter skills.
Read at ESPN.com
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