No guarantees for WNBA draft picks

Think your NCAA bracket was bad? Try a WNBA mock draft.

And make it easy, just select the top two.

After a string of certain No. 1 picks dating to the Storm's selection of former Connecticut star Sue Bird in 2002, the top player this season isn't easily pegged because of varied team needs and lack of depth.

Players selected Thursday in the 13th annual draft aren't even given the same assurance to make a roster as in the past. Last winter, the league disbanded Houston, winner of the first four championships, and decreased rosters to a maximum of 11 players — eliminating the two-player inactive list.

Economic moves amounted to 39 lost jobs this season. The draft is three rounds, 39 picks for 13 teams.

"I can't emphasize it enough, but the competition for jobs in this league right now is extraordinary," said Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer, whose defending champion Shock has the 11th and 37th picks. "And extraordinary is probably too soft a word. It's going to be very, very difficult for players to make a team in this league unless you have a team that's looking for a smaller contract. That will be why a [rookie] player makes it."

The WNBA salary cap is set at $803,000 this summer, with rookies making $35,190 to $44,945 (top four picks). That could make a newcomer more attractive as teams vie for high-priced free agents like two-time MVP Lauren Jackson, who would make $99,500 by re-signing with Seattle.

Atlanta, picking up spoils like free agent Chamique Holdsclaw and former Comet Sancho Lyttle, isn't budget-conscious. The Dream has the No. 1 overall pick and is looking at players ranging from Connecticut guard Renee Montgomery to Oklahoma center Courtney Paris or Louisville forward Angel McCoughtry.

"I could use a point guard," said Marynell Meadors, Atlanta's coach and general manager. Veteran point guard Nikki Teasley also returns for the Dream after giving birth.

In a cost-cutting measure, there isn't a predraft camp to help finalize decisions. Most coaches simply made more phone calls this year.

Washington, Atlanta, and Connecticut snagged surprise players last season from those evaluations.

The Storm even found a roster filler in third-round pick Kimberly Beck of George Washington.

"I understand it's all about budget, but I feel bad for the players that are maybe the ones that didn't get watched during the season," said Minnesota coach Don Zierden, who has three of the top 15 picks and the 30th overall selection. "There's always one or two that teams haven't been able to see or they want to see them go against Division I talent. That [predraft camp] gave the players an opportunity."

Now the chances of making the team are grim, especially for Seattle's 12th and 38th overall selections.

"I do not think any second-rounders or third-rounders will make our league," said Sacramento general manager John Whisenant.

So what gives a player an edge?

"I value people that can play more than one position," first-year Washington coach Julie Plank said.

California forward Ashley Walker isn't concerned. An undersized forward, she led the Pac-10 in scoring (19.8) and was third in rebounding (8.6). Walker, who's 6 feet 1, is projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second.

"I f I get drafted, I get drafted. If not, I'll go on and play overseas," she said.

"I definitely think everybody who has a chance to play in the WNBA will still play."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com