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Washington Mystics' Protected Picks Revealed: Who Would Stay Safe In 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft?
Sydney Johnson (Image Credits: Imagn)

Washington Mystics’ Protected Picks Revealed: Who Would Stay Safe In 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft?

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Along with the three top 2025 rookies, the Washington Mystics could choose to protect Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin, and Jade Melbourne.

The WNBA completed its lottery draft in November, but might have to wait for further activities as the WNBPA proposes a six-week CBA extension to prevent a midnight WNBA lockout after failing to find the perfect proposal.

While this extends the schedule for the WNBA expansion draft, all teams, including champions Las Vegas Aces and the bottom-placed teams like Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings, will be planning their protection plans.

A 45-day extension would be a bonus for the franchises to refine their plans for the upcoming season and work on draft picks, as well as free agency planning. The capital city franchise is in a unique position at the moment and has numerous choices to protect.  

Sydney Johnson
Sydney Johnson (Image Credits: Imagn)

Players Washington Mystics Could Protect Ahead Of Expansion Draft

There is an optimistic feeling about the 2026 WNBA Season following the WNBA’s assurance of reaching a CBA agreement, and even the league’s coaches are showing confidence in this. The teams will work on their goals to improve their rosters, but the first task will be to protect available talent, with Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire ready to pick from the existing stars.

As for the Mystics, the team has five players under a rookie contract and two as reserves. handing them an opportunity to directly control the contracts of the seven players. Out of these seven stars, the franchise will be certain to keep hold of Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore.

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Earlier in the season, Coach Sydney Johnson advocated for Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen for the ROY award amid Paige Bueckers’ domination, and his All-Stars delivered for the team. As for Amoore, the sixth overall pick didn’t get a chance to play in the league but will be a crucial piece for the future.

For the remaining three protections, the team would look into restricted and unrestricted free agents with Sug Sutton and Jacy Sheldon as the guard duo, who provided much-needed experience and also scoring support ot the team.

Another veteran who can feel safe in the expansion draft will be Jade Melbourne. Brittney Sykes’ trade opened the door for the guard and also the plan for coach Johnson.

2026 WNBA Draft Hands Washington Mystics Unique Opportunity To Land Top Veteran

While the team will secure six of its stars from the expansion draft, it will also add a few more. Their inexperience cost them the worst season finish in franchise history – 10 losses in a row, and they will look to better their lineup with a mix of veterans.

Ironically, the side already has six picks for the 2026 season, making it a 12-player roster. From the first round, the Mystics have number 4, number 9, and number 11 draft picks, while the franchise also holds 9th, 30th, and 34th picks.

Fans won’t be surprised to see a quick trade for a veteran player or even a draft night trade of picks from the Mystics with a rich pool of picks collected over many other trades.

The Mystics will be looking to better their roster in multiple ways and will use all its assets to get the best possible package, except for the six protected players.

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