The WNBA draft is scheduled for early April. Soon the Internet will be filled with mock drafts, radio and television commentators will be speculating about Candace Parker’s draft status, and sports bars across the nation will ring with arguments about whether Candice Wiggins is worthy of a lottery pick. Meanwhile, all 14 teams are busy scouting and getting draft boards together in preparation for the big day.

But things might not go as smoothly as in recent years, because the league and the players are hard at work negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. This could have a profound effect on the free agent market, salary structure, and the expansion draft, which in turn would change teams’ draft needs. There’s a good chance the negotiations will push back the date of the draft, as the previous two did, but even so, the changes won’t be too drastic, so what teams are looking at now will probably be the same thing they’re looking at on draft day.

Atlanta is starting from scratch, so the new team needs everything. In the traditional spectrum of positions – one to five -- conventional wisdom says to fill the extremes first. But, as always talent is scarce at the point and the post and there’s not a lottery quality point guard coming out. Atlanta will then most likely look at post players like Laura Harper or Tasha Humphrey (and since Humphrey plays for Georgia, that’s a natural.

Chicago is a little ahead of Atlanta. The Sky have youngsters Candice Dupree and Armintie Price settled in as stars, and with the number two pick, they’re almost obligated to take Sylvia Fowles (assuming Parker enters the draft and goes first) or trade down. Point guard has also been an issue for the team as Dominique Canty filled the position last season, but is out of her element at that spot. Chicago might be able to find someone in the second round to groom for that role.

Connecticut has a solid starting five but got little production from its bench in 2007. The Sun pick ninth, so they’re not likely to get someone who can step in and start – so they should at least consider finding someone who can take over for Margo Dydek in the future. The 7-2 center will be 34 next year, is having a baby, and has been steadily declining.

Detroit started its offseason drama early. Less than a week after losing in the finals, Swin Cash was sniping at coach Bill Laimbeer in the press and hinting that she wanted out, which would create a big hole at the Shock’s wing. They also have concerns at the point, as Katie Smith turns 34 next season. Ivory Latta, the team’s first round pick last season who showed promise in limited minutes, might be the answer. With the 11th pick, though, Laimbeer won’t be expecting an immediate impact player.

Houston’s years of poor drafting finally caught up with the Comets. Everyone expected backcourt issues, but not the nightly disaster the guards perpetrated in 2007. With the number five pick, they might be able to snag Wiggins, which would go a long way towards restoring the Houston fans’ faith in GM Karleen Thompson.

Indiana is not a young team. Tamika Catchings will be the only Fever starter under 30 next year, which means every position needs something of a boost. But like many teams, Indy is praying mostly for point help. Tully Bevilaqua turns 36 next July and may take the year off to train with the Australian National Team. Picking 12th, the Fever aren’t going to get a player who can jump right in and contribute, so getting a youngster who can develop is probably the best option.

Los Angeles won the lottery and owns the number one pick. It’ll be Parker if she comes out (and it’s hard to imagine her staying for another year at Tennessee when she very likely would wind up on an expansion team in Atlanta in 2009). Lisa Leslie turns 36 next season and is coming off maternity leave and Taj McWilliams-Franklin is 37, so the Sparks also need some fresh legs in the paint.

Minnesota is set in the backcourt. The last two number one picks, Seimone Augustus and Lindsey Harding, man the guard spots for the Lynx (though Harding has recently said she wants to go back to her home town of Houston). Even so, they’ll go for a forward, probably Crystal Langhorne.

New York surprised people last year with a playoff run. If Jessica Davenport develops as expected and Janel McCarville continues her excellent play from 2007’s second half, the Liberty are solid. Given Erin Thorn’s inconsistency, another shooter is in order at number seven.

Phoenix boldly traded last year’s top pick and it paid off handsomely. The Mercury will need more than lucky lottery ball, though,s to get something as useful as Tangela Smith with  number 13 in 2008. What the Mercury need is a strong rebounding presence but picking so late, they’ll have to settle for what they can get.

Sacramento may be in rebuilding mode. Yolanda Griffith will be 38 next year and has lost a step. Ticha Penicheiro, 33, is also not the player she was a few years ago and Kristin Haynie has yet to prove she’s a full-time starter. Still, the Monarchs must be thinking about a reliable post option as oft-injured DeMya Walker can’t be counted on for the long haul, and Griffith is near retirement.

San Antonio was 2007’s turnaround team. Nobody predicted Becky Hammon turning this team into a conference finalist – but the Silver Stars’ worries are Vickie Johnson’s age (36 next season), and Ruth Riley’s ineffectiveness though Marie Ferdinand-Harris might be able to pick up Johnson’s slack. With no first round pick, it will be potluck for the Silver Stars on draft day.

Seattle disappointed in 2007. Despite Lauren Jackson’s magnificent year, the Storm limped into the last playoff spot and were quickly dispatched. The biggest weakness was the lack of bench production, particularly when Jackson and Janell Burse were out. Picking number eight, and with a new general manager making the choice, they should be able to find a big body who can spell the post starters.

Washington has real issues. Nikki Teasley was unimaginably bad but what the Mystics really need is to get some help on the block. Nakia Sanford will be 32 next year and isn’t a starting caliber center to begin with. Delisha Milton-Jones will be 33 and is slowing down. They have pick number six, so they’ll be able to inject some youth into their aging frontcourt.