As the 2026 WNBA season nears its conclusion, several teams have begun to adopt tanking strategies to improve their odds in the 2027 draft lottery. The playoff picture is nearly set, with eight teams separated from those looking to rebuild. The Dallas Wings are leading the chase for the final playoff spot, while teams like the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo have fallen well behind. Toronto, an expansion franchise, faces a tough season compounded by key injuries sidelining stars Brittney Sykes and Kiki Rice. Toronto’s current position has them holding the second-best chances in the upcoming draft lottery, with few more losses potentially boosting their odds to first overall.

The Los Angeles Sparks have also appeared to embrace tanking, with coach Lynne Roberts openly shifting playing time toward bench players despite healthy starters. The Sparks, currently holding the fifth-best lottery odds, made a significant roster move trading away five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum at the trade deadline. Tanking in the WNBA remains comparatively subtle versus the NBA, partly because the WNBA draft lottery accounts for two seasons in team standings, making outright tanking less beneficial. For example, the Seattle Storm have poor lottery odds despite having the worst record this season due to their better 2025 performance.

Certain organizations choose not to tank due to a lack of incentive and draft pick control. The Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury do not own their 2027 first-round picks, having traded those assets in previous deals. Meanwhile, the Portland Fire’s management expresses a desire to build a competitive culture rather than prioritizing draft positioning, signaling a different approach to team growth in their expansion phase. General Manager Vanja Černivec emphasized the long-term competitive vision rather than seeking immediate benefits from a high draft pick.

The motivation for tanking centers on anticipated top prospects in the 2027 draft, including USC’s JuJu Watkins, Texas star Madison Booker, and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. Teams believe adding such young talent can significantly accelerate rebuilding after recent drafts delivered immediate impact stars such as Olivia Miles and Paige Bueckers. This landscape has influenced decisions by teams struggling in the standings to strategically position themselves to secure a high-profile rookie who could become a franchise cornerstone moving forward.