After an unimpressive stint in the 2024 season, the Dallas Wings head coach, Chris Koclanes, has his sleeves rolled up, ready to face the new challenge. Paige Bueckers is carrying expectations while reinforcements surround Arike Ogunbowale. That’s the starpower everyone’s aware of. But the Wings’ secret weapon lies not in their starters but a face the city has known a little too well.

After averaging 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per 27 games last season and missing out on 13, owing to a left index finger surgery, Maddy Siegrist returned to the hardwood with a bang! The forward won the 2025 Athletes Unlimited season in March with a total of 7,052 points in her belt. Needless to say, she has proven enough to rattle her opponents. The analysts are calling it.

Talking about the forward on the Good Follow podcast, national reporter Ros Gold-Onwude said, “The breakout player I’m looking at is Maddy Siegrist. She’s got size, she can score. She was just named champion at Athletes Unlimited. That should give her confidence.” 

A promising veteran who joined the Wings roster with a three-year deal worth $233,468, the forward has been a key piece– probably why she became only the third player Dallas retained from last year’s roster. She may not have made the loudest noise, but one cannot ignore the potential she holds. One of the strongest players on the roster, the Villanova alumna carries almost intuitive offensive skills, which aid her scoring ability, whether it is from the inside, mid-range, or from beyond the arc.

Paige Bueckers may have been hailed as the reviver of a franchise that once refused to finish anywhere below a playoff spot, but she is not doing it alone. When Curt Miller said he’d “try to help put the roster together that Chris would love to coach,” he meant it.

We see the defensive gaps filled by DiJonai Carrington, and leadership taking form in Tyasha Harris. Ogunbowale and Bueckers are providing for the backcourt, and NaLyssa Smith is bringing depth. The post? Myisha Hines-Allen has it covered alongside Teaira McCowan. But Siegrist, who signed a rookie deal in 2023, has long-term plans with the franchise. A young talent, she is bringing stability to the roster, helping build a foundation alongside the No.1 draftee.

With the Wings instating their trust in her and the injuries out of the way, Gold-Onwude predicts this is going to be the right environment for Seigrist to find her footing. “And she’s a young player! Last season she was disrupted in her rhythm with injuries, and a finger injury and stuff. So, I think there’s room for her to establish herself as a number two or number three scoring option there with Arike,” Ros said.

The forward put up a total of 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in 31 minutes across two preseason games. Her versatility and full impact on and off the court have been fully taken into account by Miller and Coach Koclanes. There’s a reason she is staying longer than she had signed for.

Dallas Wings ready to extend Maddy Siegrist’s contract

As a 3rd overall pick, Maddy Siegrist had signed a three-year contract with Dallas Wings. But two years in, the franchise made an important announcement before the season even commenced. According to an official statement, the team has exercised the fourth-year rookie contract option.

“She is a big piece of the Wings future, has worked hard at her game and is poised to have an impressive year. Her versatility to play multiple positions gives our team valuable flexibility within our roster,” GM Curt Miller said. For Coach Koclanes, it is her competitiveness, refusal to take offs, and ability to do the dirty work that seals the deal.

With this, the total cash cumulative will increase from  $233, 468 in three years to a whopping sum amounting to $328,208. With stupendous on-court achievements, Maddy is a sure-shot rising WNBA player. And while watching her in Dallas Wings will be exciting, it will be interesting to note whether Maddy will single-handedly dominate in the paint or let rookies like Bueckers have a slice of the WNBA limelight.