Jackpot! Las Vegas Aces Wins WNBA Draft Lottery Again

NEW YORK (AP) — Bill Laimbeer and the Las Vegas Aces are on a hot streak.

The franchise will have the first pick in the WNBA draft for a third straight year after barely missing the playoffs this past season. No team had ever had the No. 1 pick in three consecutive years.

"Well, you know, our franchise is an up-and-coming franchise," Laimbeer said. "We were the youngest team in the league this year. With the No. 1 pick this year it gives us multiple options. I'm sure our phone will ring off the hook."

Las Vegas had the second-best chance (27.6 percent) to secure the top choice after finishing with the second-worst combined record the past two seasons. They drafted Kelsey Plum in 2016 when the team was still in San Antonio and took A'ja Wilson with the No. 1 pick this past season. Now, Laimbeer has a chance to add another piece to a talented young team.

Laimbeer, the Aces' president and coach, said he will explore trading the top pick if the right offer comes along.

Las Vegas was 14-20 this past season, a game out of the final playoff berth. Laimbeer didn't think his team would get the top pick again. He thought it was going to New York, despite the Liberty having the worst chance to win the lottery. His premonition almost came true as the Liberty got the No. 2 pick.

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