The 2026 WNBA Draft is still six months away, and the prospect of a work stoppage disrupting the 2026 WNBA season itself looms like a dark cloud as long as the league and the WNBPA are locked in a stalemate over a new collective bargaining agreement. But next year's class appears absolutely loaded -- which would make a possible lockout even tougher for fans to swallow.
At the top of the draft, potential franchise-changing talents like Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Flau'jae Johnson and Olivia Miles are expected to fly off the board. But the 2026 draft is so talent-rich that impact players will be on the board deep into the first round and into the second round.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham breaks down key trait Caitlin Clark shares with LeBron James
For a team like the Indiana Fever, surprise WNBA semifinalists in 2025, the chance to find a ceiling-raiser at 10th overall is a factor that -- along with Caitlin Clark's return to health in 2026 -- could help bring the WNBA Finals back to Indianapolis for the first time in more than a decade. And according to a new mock draft, the Fever may well be in position to select a familiar face to Indiana basketball fans: sharpshooting guard Yarden Garzon.
Maryland women’s basketball, headlined by Indiana transfer Yarden Garzon, lands at No. 10 in ESPN’s preseason rankings:
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) October 8, 2025
“With 17.9 points-per-game scorer Kaylene Smikle, Saylor Poffenbarger and Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa also in the lineup Garzon will have plenty of options.” pic.twitter.com/sNUiaFbdwy
Garzon played three years for the Indiana Hoosiers before completing a surprise transfer to Big 10 rivals Maryland. The Hoosiers' loss may well be the Terrapins' gain; Garzon led the conference in 3-point percentage as a freshman in 2022-23, and her 88 makes on 216 attempts were both the highest marks in the Big Ten last season. For her NCAA career, the 6'3'' Garzon is a career 42.6 percent shooter from 3-point range.
If the Fever lose Sophie Cunningham, Kelsey Mitchell or both via free agency in 2026, Garzon would make a lot of sense as a cheaper, younger replacement whose shooting ability would help Indiana on day one. But Garzon's height and range would make her a complement to those players as well as Clark, given the Fever's stated goal to surround Clark and Aliyah Boston with as many shooters as they can find amid their continued championship pursuit.
More WNBA news:
Sky predicted to pair Angel Reese with familiar face amid trade rumors
Wings predicted to draft 6-foot-7 center to help Paige Bueckers
Aces' Jackie Young lands a new job after WNBA Finals victory
WNBA fans are split on the Portland Fire's head coaching choice
Azzi Fudd WNBA mock draft prediction turns her into Paige Bueckers' opponent