The Mystics need to figure out a clear plan for 2024 and beyond

Preparing for next season or trying to compete…which is it?

At the moment, there are 23 games remaining for the Washington Mystics who currently sit at 11th place. A recent two-game win streak gives them a record of 4-13. They’ve had two win streaks this month both being two games and despite their horrid record, it’s still possible for the team to still make a playoff spot potentially.

Washington is only three games behind seventh and eighth place standings. Regardless of record, the top eight teams make the playoffs. The question is what direction are the Mystics aiming to go in this “rebuilding” stage they’re in: back to the draft or trying to make the most of an up in the air season?

It’s a given that this is a rebuild season as they started 0-12 before getting their first win of the season. Two of their three leading scorers have been injured for majority of the year: Shakira Austin (11.7) and Brittney Sykes (11.3). Ariel Atkins had been leading the team in scoring averaging 14.8 points per game.

Rookie Aaliyah Edwards has been progressing throughout the season averaging 8.8 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Her best game came in a rookie showdown with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Thursday, June 6 where she notched a double double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and even added four blocks.

Overall, is this a team you want to gamble with just to be the final seed in the playoffs and be eliminated in the first round? No team will outright say they’re tanking either. It’s just a matter of which direction is the best direction.

Looking ahead everyone knows the 2025 WNBA Draft will be stacked with talent again especially with Paige Bueckers in the mix. Bueckers is predicted to be the first overall pick in 2025.

Where Washington will land in the lottery to grab Bueckers depends on them and the lottery. Typically the teams with the worst records over the last two seasons cumulatively will be able to draft higher. In other words, the four teams who have a terrible record in two seasons will get the top picks. If the Mystics continue to win games and move up in the standings, then the whole “Paige to DC” fan campaign will soon cease to exist.

Between now and September, the Mystics could turn this season around and shock themselves along with their opponents. They also could be the team everyone has seen so far this season and focus on the off-season and next year.

Which way are they trying to go?