The Washington Mystics have landed three first-round picks in the 2025 WNBA draft. After a trade that sent six-year vet Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky, the Mystics now obtain the third, fourth, and sixth overall pick.
They also housed the sixth pick from a trade involving the Atlanta Dream.
Atkins is the last member of the 2019 Mystics team, which won its first and only WNBA Finals. She was a key contributor in the finals, averaging 9.6 points while shooting 44 percent from the field.
Atkins became one of the Mystics’ go-to scorers in the post-championship era. She even became a two-time All-Star in 2021 and 2022. Atkins is coming off a season leading the Mystics in scoring with 14.9 points per game.
But as the Sky pair rising star Angel Reese with a scorer, the Mystics have grabbed a key opportunity with these picks to bolster the franchise in the right direction of its rebuild.
Entering the draft, the team had the lowest odds of winning the lottery, at 10.4 percent.
- No. 1 pick, Dallas Wings, 22.7% odds
- No. 2 pick, Los Angeles Sparks, 44.2% odds
- No. 3 pick, Chicago Sky, 22.7 odds
- No. 4 pick, Washington Mystics, 10.4% odd
Now, the Mystics have a chance to build their future with these three upcoming picks. As the college regular season ends, here’s who the Mystics should select in the first round.
What the Mystics need to draft
University of Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers expects to be the consensus number-one pick. Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles should follow Bueckers with the second overall pick. The Mystics could package their draft capital to move up for Miles. Yet, Washington has an opportunity to maximize their draft capital with three top prospects.
This draft class features a ton of potential in its prospects. The Mystics’ draft decisions may change as the 2024-25 college basketball season rolls on. But one thing is sure: the Mystics need a better offense.
With a record of 14-26, finishing ninth in the “W,” the Mystics were ninth in the league in scoring, averaging 79.8 points per game. They were first in turnovers, with 15.1. They were also second to last in defensive rating across the league.
So, considering these factors, some candidates are worthy of the three draft picks.
No. 3 pick: Sonia Citron, 3-and-D wing from Notre Dame
Sonia Citron is a 6’1 guard for the sixth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She’s averaging 13.8 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three in 29 games.
She’s coming off a good run in the ACC tournament, scoring nine points in three games and shooting 43 percent from the field. Despite the disappointing 61-56 loss to Duke in the semifinals, Citron put up nine points, four steals, and two blocks in Notre Dame’s last game before the tournament.
Her addition to the team could provide a better output for the Mystics on both sides of the floor. Citron’s strength is moving off the ball and knocking down the three. She can also defend at a high level, as she averages two steals per game. Her defense can boost the team’s struggles on that side of the ball.
Citron makes a quick impact on the team as a shooter and defender.
No. 4 pick: Dominique Malonga, Center/Forward from France and LDLC ASVEL
Dominique Malonga is an outstanding draft prospect from France heading to the Europe side of basketball. She is also coming off an Olympic debut with France’s national team.
In 2022, Malonga went viral for completing a drop-step into a dunk at the age of 16.
At 6’6″, she is averaging nearly a double-double with LDLC. Malonga scores 15.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Malonga is an excellent rebounder and inside defender. Her ability to block shots complements her rebounding efforts and makes her a standout. In addition to her fantastic defense, Malonga is an excellent shot-creator in the post. She even has a deadly one-legged fadeaway in her arsenal.
After missing out on Angel Reese in last year’s draft, this can be the perfect pick to quickly compensate for the team’s lack of rebounding and defense.
No. 6 pick: Te-Hina Paopao, a combo guard from South Carolina
Te-Hina Paopao is a 5’9 combo guard for the defending National champions, South Carolina. She’s averaging 9.8 points, three assists, and a steal per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.
She can be another offensive addition for the Mystics. Paopao is a guard from a winning team who can do it all offensively.
Paopao struggled recently in the SEC tournament, averaging 6.6 points and three assists while shooting 30 percent from the field. Despite the offensive struggle, she pulled down five rebounds in a 64-45 win over Texas in the SEC Championship.
She’s a high-IQ guard who can make great decisions and make plays for others. She can score with a nice pull-up game and her catch-and-shoot skills.
Paopao can learn a lot from the veteran guards already on the roster and become the franchise point guard.
The Mystics’ rebuild starts next spring with their three first-round picks. They hope to strike gold for the upcoming 2025 draft. As the college basketball season continues to close, their decision regarding who will face their rebuild will become more apparent.
