“I wouldn’t trade this rookie year for anything.” Team success aside, there isn’t a single blight on Paige Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year campaign. It feels weird to say this, but the odds were kinda stacked against her. Sure, everyone knew that she was the next big thing, but that also places a lot of pressure on a young star. The six-foot-tall guard had to deal with weird rotations, over-the-top physicality, and playing a position she isn’t used to, and she still came out on top.

But how long can we avoid looking at team success when it comes to Bueckers and the Dallas Wings? Sure, individually, the rookie was amazing, but the team was the worst in the entire league. They had some solid talent in Ogunbowale and Carrington for the first half of the season, but they weren’t able to convert talent into wins. After Ogunbowale’s injury and DiJonai’s trade, it was clear that the Dallas management was pushing Bueckers towards a leadership role.

And why wouldn’t they? She’s been a leader since her UConn days and won a championship there. Still, Paige Bueckers felt the need to clarify something important–she worked hard on the court to gain everyone’s respect before using her voice.“I’m just wanting to come and gain everybody’s respect, and then as you gain it, you gain everybody’s respect to be able to use your voice honestly.” She said in a post from WNBA on X.

Even though the team record wasn’t great, Bueckers was candid about the journey she underwent with the team.  “Just most proud of truly everything, the way we handled diversity the way we handled different people, being in and out of the lineups, just how we stuck together as a team, that’s something that’s like you can’t teach, can’t teach like resilience of fight like a dogma to get these reps for us as rookies, especially to just be with this group.” And I feel that Bueckers hit the nail right on its head.

Curt Miller’s team acted like one cohesive unit regardless of the challenges they faced. It’s not always easy to stay composed while losing–take a look at Chicago if you don’t believe me. The environment in the locker room was a lot better, but things still weren’t great: Carrington’s trade, Bueckers’ injury, and Ogunbowale getting ruled out for the season.

After all, going through a rebuild is the toughest thing in the league. You have to balance fan expectations, the talent that you’re retaining, and the vision you have. Luckily, Dallas has their own pick for next year, and some exciting prospects are coming through the pipeline. But when talent is abundant, one question always pops up–who do you choose?

Who will join Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in the 2026 draft class?

It feels like every year, the draft prospects keep getting better! We’ve not had an uneventful draft ever since Aliyah Boston walked into the league, and we’d love to keep it that way! During the last two years, there has been a consensus first overall pick, but now? It will depend on what Dallas wants to do in the draft. After all, there are only two options:

1. Find another guard to complement Bueckers in the backcourt.
2. Find a center to complement Bueckers and Ogubowale in the frontcourt.

Either way, there are perfect prospects lined up for both. If Curt Miller decides to go all-in on the backcourt, it would make sense for Dallas to bring in Bueckers’ girlfriend and UConn teammate Azzi Fudd. She’s an explosive scorer from the perimeter and can lock her targets down on the other side of the court.

On the other hand, if Dallas looks to consolidate their paint presence, UCLA prospect Lauren Betts is the obvious choice. Standing at six-foot-seven, Betts is the prime candidate and mostly considered by all to be the first overall prospect. If the Wings add her, Paige Bueckers might be able to stage some impressive pick-and-rolls, and you just know the glass will be cleaned with a passion.

According to me, bringing in Lauren Betts makes a lot more sense for the Wings. They suffered because of their lack of depth in the frontcourt, and a lack of depth in the entire rotation as well. Adding Betts would bolster whatever they have inside the paint, give a helping hand to people like Geiselsoder, and allow Bueckers to deal with more freedom. What do you think? Who should Dallas draft? Is it gonna be Fudd or is it gonna be Betts? Only time will tell.