“We knew what that meant at that moment,” Dallas Wings’ GM Curt Miller predicted the future when the franchise won the WNBA draft lottery back in November 2024. Projected first-round pick Paige Bueckers was then playing in the third game of her final season with UConn. And when she arrived at Arlington, Miller’s prediction started to take shape. It wasn’t just on-court synergy. There was a ‘high tide’ of positivity around the Wings. Her sold-out debut game was evidence of it, and so was her second home game, bringing in Dallas royalty.

Playing against the Seattle Storm, the Wings once again recorded a sold-out game. But this time it was special with one of their heroes sitting courtside.

The arena saw Dallas’ NBA Champion, Dirk Nowitzki, at the College Park Center. The NBA legend was a regular at the American Airlines Arena while Luka Doncic was still at the Mavs. After Doncic’s trade, he was spotted at the Lakers’ game when Mavs’ superstar was making his LA debut. Dirk called it a ‘Bizarre moment for him’ to watch Doncic in the ‘yellow jersey’. And the only other Mavs’ game Dirk attended was when Luka was back in the city for Lakers vs Dallas.

It has been months since, and the only time you spot Dirk is yet again at a Dallas game, but this one with its newest star. While Paige is yet to make any big impact in terms of ‘wins’, Dirk knows the drill and process. Her being a part of the roster excites the 12-time All-Star, who is foreseeing a bright future for the side.

“Winning the draft lottery is always big, Mavs just did it a few weeks ago, and so it’s great to have good young talent coming in for you.” Dirk said in an on-court interview during the Wings’ game, “In most cases, it can turn your franchise around, and hopefully that’s the case for both teams.” In the NBA draft lottery, the Mavs landed the number 1 pick despite having a slim 1.8% chance. The side is expected to target another generational talent for Dallas, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg seen as a possible addition.

Two top picks in one season can certainly turn things around for the Texas franchise, especially after facing heat from the fans following the Luka Doncic trade. While Cooper’s selection still has a month-long wait, Wings have clearly made their intentions clear, selecting an NCAA champion and three-time All-American Paige Bueckers as their number 1 pick.

“I think [Paige Bueckers has] got the talent. She’s gonna be amazing for us.” Dirk answered ESPN on having Paige Bueckers’ representing the wings, “She is gonna get better from game to game, from season to season. You already can see now she is more comfortable out there from game 1, so she is going to be “tremendous” for this organization for long time.” Paige Bueckers nearly doubled her stats in her second game. From her 10-point debut, she scored a team-high 19 points against the Seattle Storm.

Forming a great chemistry with her teammate, Paige’s assist number went up from 2 (in the first game) to 8 (in the second game). The signs are exciting as Bueckers sets her feet in the Wings locker room.

Paige Bueckers takes on the reins after Luka adorns new colors

With a resume full of personal accolades, Paige Bueckers has already raised the bar high for herself. Even before she entered the league, WNBA GMs made their views clear about the UConn star. Many saw Bueckers as a high-IQ player who isn’t simply an efficient three-level scorer but a willing passer who can impact the game in a multitude of ways.

“I think what makes her special is she can fill the gap, and she can fill whatever gap,” Wings HC Koclanes said following the draft night. “We can put her on the ball, we can put her off the ball, and she’ll be just as good, just as efficient, just as effective, and, most importantly, just as willing. And I think that speaks to her unselfishness. I’m excited as a coach to be able to talk to her and find out what works.” Leading the UConn side in multiple stats, Bueckers was the team’s most influential and impactful player. The Wings would be looking at similar output from the 23-year-old star.

Along with these on-court expectations, the Dallas Wings will be aiming to utilize Paige’s marketability and massive fan base to their advantage. The Wings in February announced that their new television carrier in the Dallas-Fort Worth market would be the same as the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The side also mentioned that since the draft, the network has expanded to 12 markets in Texas. It is the largest footprint for WNBA local broadcasts in league history, as confirmed by the Wings’ CEO and managing partner, Greg Bibb. Moreover, the season passes are already sold out, the arena bookings are filling up faster than ever, and the Merch-sales skyrocketed for the Wings.

The team is also looking at a new sponsor, with financial service provider Albert becoming their official jersey patch partner. The contract has an eight-figure value over the next five years, which, as per Bibb, is the largest sponsorship agreement in the organization’s history. All the signs are great and massive steps towards the ‘dream’ getting fulfilled. No wonder the top picks like Paige Bueckers are called ‘lottery’.