WASHINGTON, D.C. — The future fortunes of the Washington Mystics could hang on 14 ping-pong balls.
As the WNBA prepares for its 26th annual Draft Lottery on Sunday, November 15, the entire women’s basketball world is focused on one player: Southern California’s virtuoso guard, JuJu Watkins. Fresh off an explosive return from a knee injury—headlined by a dominant 32-point, 16-rebound performance against Utah State earlier this week—Watkins has firmly cemented herself as the undeniable No. 1 pick for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
While expansion franchises Toronto Tempo and the newly minted Houston Comets hold the statistical upper hand with a 32.9% chance each at the top pick, the Washington Mystics are the ultimate wild card of the lottery.
The Masterclass Trade Paying Dividends
Washington’s luxury positioning in this lottery is the result of pure front-office wizardry. By trading veteran star Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky, the Mystics secured a first-round pick swap for 2027. Chicago’s subsequent struggles over the last two seasons have handed Washington a 16.1% chance at the number one pick.
If the lottery balls bounce in Chicago's favor, Washington will immediately trigger the swap, jumping straight to the podium to claim Watkins. It is an enviable position for a Mystics team that is already assembling a terrifying young core after selecting UCLA standout Lauren Betts in the 2026 draft. Pairs like Betts and emerging star Shakira Austin would benefit massively from a perimeter engine like Watkins.
Why JuJu Watkins is the Unquestioned Prize
Scouts and former players alike are making no secret of her value. Former USC star Isaiah Collier recently stated that Watkins going No. 1 is "no question," comparing her ceiling to the sport's absolute elite.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Watkins is a rare archetype: a bruising, three-level scorer who can collapse an entire defense with her hesitation moves, while simultaneously acting as a rim-protecting, lane-disrupting force on the defensive end. She finished her freshman year second nationally in scoring only to Caitlin Clark, and her swagger and charisma make her instantly market-ready for a franchise looking for a face to anchor its brand.
A Win-Win Consolation Prize
Even if the 16.1% odds do not land Washington the ultimate prize, the Mystics are in a position where they cannot truly lose. Because Chicago cannot drop past the fourth spot, Washington is guaranteed a premium asset in what evaluators are calling a historically deep draft class.
Should they land at No. 2 or No. 3, the consensus among mock drafts suggests the Mystics will have their choice of two spectacular talents:
Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame): A lightning-quick playmaker and disruptive perimeter defender who earned first-team All-American honors as a freshman.
Madison Booker (Texas): A versatile, 6-foot-1 forward with a mature mid-range game who has already led the Longhorns to consecutive Final Fours.
Whether November 15 brings the ultimate jackpot in JuJu Watkins or a foundational cornerstone in Hidalgo or Booker, the Washington Mystics are about to see their competitive timeline accelerated dramatically. The lottery will air live Sunday on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET, and D.C. fans will be holding their breath.