Minnesota Lynx trade 2026 first-round draft pick for Karlie Samuelson
The Minnesota Lynx have traded for Washington Mystics guard Karlie Samuelson, sending her former team a 2026 first-round pick in return.
On Sunday, the Lynx announced that the team traded its No. 11 pick in this year's WNBA draft to the Chicago Sky. In exchange, the Lynx will have the Sky's first-round pick in 2026.
The Lynx then sent a first-rounder to the Mystics for 29-year-old Samuelson, who averaged a career-high 8.4 points a game last season while shooting nearly 40% from three. Initially, the team said it traded the pick acquired from the Sky, but later sent a correction, clarifying that it was the team's own 2026 first-round pick. The team retains the Sky's pick.
In this year's draft, the Lynx now have the No. 15 and No. 24 picks in the second round and the No. 37 pick in the third round.
CBS Sports gave the Lynx a B+ grade for the trade with the Sky, noting that the team is bringing back nearly the entire roster and anyone picked at No. 11 would have a difficult time making the roster.
The draft is being held in New York City. It's the 29th draft in the league's history.
Minnesota native Paige Bueckers — the UConn Huskies' star player who helped the team to its 12th national championship — is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings.
Note: Video is from Feb. 2, 2025.
