WNBA Draft: Lynx Without First Round Pick, Will Pick Twice in 2nd Round

WNBA Draft
6:00 pm CDT
ESPN2: 1st Rd. 
ESPNU: 2nd & 3rd Rounds

The WNBA draft takes place tonight at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Breanna Stewart, the Connecticut star, will be the first overall pick to the Seattle Storm, and it is almost certain that the top two picks, and quite possibly the top 3, will all be Connecticut Huskies, with Moriah Jefferson widely believed to be going to the Stars with the 2nd pick and Morgan Tuck a possible third pick to the Sun, who also own the 4th pick in the draft.

Minnesota Gopher scoring machine Rachel Banham is a possibility to Connecticut with that fourth pick, and is unlikely to last much past that point if the Sun pass on her.

The Lynx will not have a first round pick tonight, fallout from last season's trade for Sylvia Fowles, but will pick twice in round 2: They hold the 2nd pick in the 2nd round (14th overall) that they got from the Storm, and the 10th pick in the 2nd round (22nd overall) from the Chicago Sky. Their own 2nd round pick is held by the Atlanta Dream. They also hold the 11th pick in the third (and final) round, which is the 41st overall pick.

Of course for the Lynx it was well worth giving up what was going to be a late first rounder to get hold of Fowles, an All-Star caliber player that helped them to another championship last season and looks poised to be a big part of the team over the next few seasons. The Lynx are a championship contender with a hugely talented and veteran roster, and it makes sense for them to try to maximize this group of players.

The Lynx have been a proactive organization in recent years, making deals to improve their team. Last year on draft night they traded for guard Anna Cruz, who joined them after finishing her international obligations with Spain, and proved an important player especially in the post-season, backing up a hobbling Lindsay Whalen.

We'll see what happens tonight.