Sky-Lynx Trade figures: Chicago acquires no. 11 Pick in Wnba Draft, Minnesota gets future first rounder

On the eve of the WNBA design of 2025 we have an exchange that will shake the end of the first round. At the end of Sunday, the Chicago Sky announced that they took over the number 11 general choice of the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for a first round of 2026.

The official conditions of the deal will extinguish the rights of the Lynx to change the first round picks with the Sky in the 2026 design, which they had taken over last year in a separate trade between the teams prior to the 2024 design. Now the Lynx receives the first round of heaven in 2026 without having to give up without having to give up.

“We believe that the concept class 2025 is deep and we are enthusiastic about the flexibility we get by gaining a first round pick this year”, said in a press release. “The No. 11 Pick represents a different route to improve our schedule.”

Now that the deal has been officially switched on, we let the trade assess.

Sky received

Heaven have focused and allowed this season out of season and previously sent the number 3-pick in this year’s design and a first round Swap from the first round of 2027 to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Ariel Atkins. They also have the first round of Connecticut Sun this year-the number 10 Pick-Via de Marina Mabrey-trade.

Pagliocca told reporters During a conference call on Thursday, the decision to leave the lottery in February had nothing to do with the level of talent in this year’s design class.

“The decision to try to get Ariel Atkins was a decision by Ariel Atkins, not because of the power of the design,” said Pagliocca. “If there is something, just show how, how much we are dedicated and how much we believe in her to move such a strong choice.”

Going back to the first round strengthens the Pagliocca statement. After trade with the Lynx, the air now has back-to-back picks on nrs. 10 and 11 on Monday evening.

The migration of the Sky’s Trekpick were not the only movements they made this winter. In addition to acquiring Atkins, they also brought in other veterans through transactions and free agency, including Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen and Kia Nurse. Those additions must make the team more competitive after having gone 13-27 last year and improve the environment on the field for their promising young Bigs, Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. However, this is far from a complete schedule.

The most obvious need for Chicago is a long -term point Guard that can run the attack and set up Cardoso and Reese. They also need more shot creation after they let Chennedy Carter leave. And it never hurts to have more 3-point threats. If they could find a Big-Big Big from the floor that could unlock some more line-up combinations, that would also be great. With two picks in the first round, they must be able to meet multiple needs.

There is a range of guards and wings that could be available in that reach, including Georgia Amoore, Hailey of Lith, Te-Hina Paopao, Justė Jocytė, Saniya Rivers, Asiaha James, Serena Sundell, Sarah Ashee Barker and Ajša Sivka. The Front Court options are more limited, although that is always the case with the search for Bigs who can shoot. Maddy Westbeld should still be on the board, although they might get her in the second round. Sania Feagin is another option, although that would require a projection that she could expand her shot beyond the middle range.

The sky was already owed the Lynx a 2026 pick wap from the first round and looking at the two gratings, there is a very good chance that the Lynx will invoke that. So in the eyes of Chicago their pick from 2026 had already disappeared, and now they get Minnesotas 2025 first instead of their 2026 first. With the Las Vegas Aces back in the first round next year and two more expansion teams who participated in the mix, the Lynx’s 2026 could first be in the reach of 13-15. A possible result is that the air in essence gets a few slots of tensile value with this deal.

However, you can make a strong thing that the risk here is not worth the reward, especially with what is expected to be an extremely strong concept class on the horizon in 2026. Is the player they focus on number 11 who are worth the chance to give the chance to give it a small of not having to change picks next year or do for a top-like selection? This feels at least as another example of heaven that plays quickly and loose with exchange rights.

Grade: B-

Lynx received

• Sky’s 2026 First round Pick downy

As for the Lynx, it is easy to see their motivation. They brought almost the entire schedule back after they reached the final last season, and their rotation is virtually set. Everyone who chose them at No. 11 would have had a tough fight to make the schedule, let alone to see playing time. Taking a candidate and stash was always an option, but instead they just kick the look on the road.

They would probably always invoke the swap for the 2026 of the sky, and now they get whatever happens. There is a real chance that ultimately becomes a lottery selection. And instead of having to exchange their 2026 first for that Sky selection, they gave up their first in this year’s design.

In essence, first exchanged their own 2025, which they did not need, for their own 2026 first, which they almost certainly need.

Grade: B+