The Minnesota Lynx have traded their first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft in exchange for Washington Mystics forward Karlie Samuelson. Samuelson is fresh off a career season with the Mystics in which she averaged 8.4 points per game and shot 39.8% from three, also posting 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
In 2023, Samuelson was one of the WNBA’s best shooters, joining Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Lexie Brown as the only players to shoot at least 45% percent from the field and 40% percent from three-point range.
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Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images
This trade comes just a day after the Lynx sent their 2025 WNBA first-round draft pick to the Chicago Sky, a move that landed them the Sky’s 2026 first-round pick. In tandem, the moves mark the team’s desire to add veterans who can contribute to winning now, rather than younger prospects who might take time to develop.
The Lynx have brought back their core from last year’s Finals team, a group that was headlined by Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, All-Star guard Kayla McBride, standout guard Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, and Most Improved Player candidate Bridget Carleton. They also already have a slew of young talent, including last year’s first-round draft pick, Alissa Pilli.
The rebuilding Mystics have been stockpiling draft picks
The Washington Mystics, meanwhile, find themselves on the other end of the spectrum. They have the No. 3, No. 4, and No. 6 picks in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft — their most first-round picks in franchise history. They also have the 23rd and 32nd picks in the 2025 draft.
As a result of their latest trade with the Lynx, they now have an additional pick in next year’s draft, too, though the exact draft order has yet to be determined.
The 2026 Draft is set to include standouts like UCLA center Lauren Betts, LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson, and Oklahoma Center Raegan Beers. Washington continues to build around young talent like Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin, and Emily Engslter while still retaining veteran players like Brittney Sykes and Stefanie Dolson.
