Are WNBA teams allowed to trade players on draft night? These are the rules

The draft room buzzes with anticipation. General managers huddle, phones in hand, plotting moves that could alter their team’s trajectory. It’s a high-stakes game of strategy, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Indiana Fever hold the coveted first pick. Their choice could shape the franchise for years to come. It remains to see if they select the electrifying Caitlin Clark, or another rising star that can give the team te balance is seeking.

Are WNBA teams allowed to trade players while the draft is taking place?

Teams have the choice to trade draft picks up until the evening before the draft. Accordingly, clubs may trade draft spots with other teams or get more selections by arranging deals. This flexibility allows franchises to leapfrog rivals, move up the pecking order, or accumulate future assets.

How is the draft structure?

The WNBA Draft consists of three rounds, with each round having 12 picks. In total, only 36 players are selected

The first four picks are determined by a lottery system. The four teams with the lowest cumulative records from the past two seasons participate in the lottery. The order of draft selection is determined by 14 balls placed into a lottery machine.

The worse a team’s record, the higher their odds of securing the top pick. This year, those teams were the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and Los Angeles Sparks

NCAA players must meet specific eligibility requirements:

Graduating seniors or those turning 22 years old in the draft year are eligible. Players with remaining NCAA eligibility must renounce it. Withdrawal from consideration is allowed up to five days before the draft. International players who never played in the NCAA must turn 20 years old in the draft year.

As the curtain rises at BAM, remember that every pick represents hope, a chance to transform a team’s fortunes. So, watch closely as the draft unfolds. Behind the scenes, GMs dial numbers, propose swaps, and make deals