Journalist lists 3 reasons why Paige Bueckers will not declare for the 2025 WNBA draft

For the past couple of years, UConn star Paige Bueckers has been penciled in as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Nonetheless, she still has one year of college eligibility left. So, even though she could turn pro next season, she could also opt to return with the Huskies. With that in mind, analyst Sabreena Merchant shared a bold prediction for the upcoming season, providing three reasons why Bueckers won't declare for the WNBA draft.

"First of all, she'd be locking herself into a rookie contract that is worth presumably far less than it would be were she would be drafted in 2026," Merchant said on The Athletic Women's Basketball Show. "Financially, it doesn't make a ton of sense to play as a rookie in 2025 vs. 2026."

She then talked about how the Dallas Wings' perennial struggles and political issues in Texas could also make Bueckers reconsider turning pro. The Wings have the first overall pick, and there have been doubts about Bueckers' desire to play for them:

"Also, there's been a lot of buzz about whether Paige actually wants to go to Dallas, given the instability with that organization and political climate in Texas, too," she added.

Further, Merchant believes that Bueckers may want to run it back for another year with coach Geno Auriemma if the Huskies don't win the whole thing this season.

"And then, I don't think UConn is going to win the national title this year," Merchant said. "So, I kind of feel like, maybe, one more year of Paige and Azzi (Fudd) running the band back, and that's their time."

Paige Bueckers' Unrivaled endorsement could impact her future

Nonetheless, as much as all of those reasons make sense, it's also worth noting that she just signed a NIL deal with the new 3x3 basketball tournament, Unrivaled.

She's not going to play in the inaugural season set to start on Jan. 17, but she's expected to take the court after her first WNBA season. Postponing her professional debut would be a conflict of interest with this endorsement deal. She's currently a part of the "The Future is Unrivaled" campaign, so they will most likely want her to turn pro as soon as possible.

Bueckers, like all other players, got equity in the league, becoming the first college athlete to have ownership equity in a professional league.