DiJonai Carrington was unhappy in Dallas after being sent back to the bench following her return from injury. “It’s an adjustment,” Carrington said earlier this month. “It was hard for me, just being that the whole point of my coming to Dallas was to expand my role. So, I feel like, not that coming off the bench means it’s diminished, but sort of in a sense, a little bit.”

The rumor mill soon followed. ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported that Carrington’s name had surfaced in WNBA circles as a potential trade candidate.

“Dallas is one of [the teams]… They’re a team that, you said, already made an in-season trade to offload NaLyssa Smith,” Philippou said. “I’ve heard the name DiJonai Carrington brought up in some WNBA circles as someone who could also potentially be on the move beyond Dallas.” When Carrington was signed, she was rated highly for her defensive skills and veteran presence that would grow with a young team. Even with the Wings struggling this season, few expected her to move on so soon.

The situation escalated fast. The Dallas Wings have officially traded Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and Minnesota’s 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington leaves behind a devoted fan base that hoped to see her thrive alongside rookie sensation Paige Bueckers. Her departure left Wings fans torn, sad to lose a beloved player, but curious to see her succeed with a contender.

Carrington Trade Draws Mixed Reactions From Fans

After her partner, NaLyssa Smith, was sent to the Las Vegas Aces, Carrington now joins the Lynx after just half a season in Dallas. Both players landed on stronger teams, and many fans are excited for Carrington to get the championship-caliber opportunity she’s been waiting for.

“Incredible for DiJonai. Her on a Contender is awesome! Dallas…..Paige… I’m sorry,” wrote another fan.

The 2024 Best Guard Defender, according to Wings GM Curt Miller, now joins a Lynx team that leads the league with a 24-5 record and the WNBA’s top defensive rating at 94.8. Carrington’s fearless defense will only bolster an already elite unit. For her, this is a win-now move; for Dallas, it’s a reset.

Another fan celebrated the trade, posting, “Dijonai Carrington 2025 WNBA champion has a nice to ring to it omggggg.” For Carrington, it’s a seismic shift. Still, her defensive tenacity is precisely what will elevate the Lynx’s already-stout D. The Lynx, with the league’s best record and a defensive rating of 94.8, the top mark in the WNBA, are primed to clamp down even harder with Carrington in the mix. The Lynx are going for the kill after dominating the entire season.

Meanwhile, some Wings supporters turned their attention to Bueckers, with one quipping, “PAIGE NEEDS TO GO NEXT (to a better team).” It’s hard to blame them. Despite Bueckers’ standout rookie season, Dallas has struggled to keep pace with the league’s elite.

While losing Carrington stings, acquiring Diamond Miller could pay dividends for the Wings’ future. The 6-3 forward, the No. 2 overall pick in 2023 and an All-Rookie honoree, has been lethal from beyond the arc, shooting a league-best 55% among forwards, and her minutes had dropped to 9.7 per game with the Lynx after starting every game as a rookie, making this trade an opportunity for her to regain form.

For Dallas, the rest of 2025 will be about developing its young core rather than chasing a playoff berth. Miller will get the steady minutes she needs to grow, while Carrington finally has the platform to compete for a title.

For Wings fans, the move is bittersweet. They lose a defensive anchor and a fan favorite, but Carrington gets a genuine shot at a championship, and the team adds a high-upside young forward for its future. In the end, it’s a fresh start for both sides, marking a new beginning.