Lynx trade 2026 first-round pick to Mystics for guard Karlie Samuelson

The Minnesota Lynx traded their own 2026 first-round draft pick to the Washington Mystics for guard Karlie Samuelson on Monday, the team announced in a release.

Samuelson, 29, is a six-year WNBA veteran who's already played for five different teams since going undrafted in 2017. Samuelson played in 29 games, including 19 starts, for the Mystics last season and averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.6 minutes per game. She shot 41% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. 

The 8.4 points and 2.1 assists per game were both career highs for Samuelson. She averages 5.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for her six-year career. 

On Sunday, the Lynx traded their 2025 first-round draft pick — No. 11 overall — to the Chicago Sky for their first-round pick in 2026. Minnesota traded its own 2026 first-rounder for Samuelson and will retain the pick acquired from the Sky.