Sky Trade for No. 11 Pick in 2025 WNBA Draft as Lynx Get 2026 1st-round Pick, Swap

The Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx agreed to a trade on the eve of the 2025 WNBA draft.

In return for the No. 11 pick this year, Chicago sent its 2026 first-rounder to Minnesota. The Lynx previously had the option of swapping picks with the Sky and now have that asset outright.

General managers typically don't find a lot of value toward the end of the first round. That may change over time as the WNBA expands and the talent becomes more dispersed across the league.

It's unlikely a major difference-maker will fall into Chicago's lap at No. 11. In her final mock for Bleacher Report, which doesn't reflect Sunday's trade, Rachel Galligan had Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker going in that spot.

Getting one more pick in the 2025 draft does have one added advantage, though.

The rookie wage scale will look far different when WNBA players and team owners agree to a new collective bargaining agreement.

The player picked 11th this year will have a starting salary of $72,455, and their contract maxes out $92,383 in 2028 if their team option is triggered. The next CBA promises far higher earnings starting in 2026 because the deal will reflect the increase the WNBA secured for its media rights.

If whoever they take with the No. 11 pick becomes as much as a solid bench option, then the Sky will have added salary cap flexibility because that contract will be well below market value a season from now.