New Dallas Wings general manager Curt Miller and head coach Chris Koclanes are well aware of the enormous task ahead of them.
They inherit a team that just two years ago made it to the WNBA semifinals. But a rash of injuries and free agency turned this once promising up-and-coming squad into one of the league’s worst, especially on the defensive end.
Miller, who also holds the title of executive vice president, signed veterans DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Tyasha Harris, and Myisha Hines-Allen, before using the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft to select UConn combo guard Paige Bueckers, a three-time All-American who led the Huskies to the national championship earlier this month.
Those additions are meant to relieve the pressure on leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale, who averaged 22.2 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals for Dallas, which finished 9-31 in 2024, giving up a league-worst 92.1 points a game. Shooting guard Maddy Siegrist and center Teaira McCowan are the others returning from last season.
Miller said he felt he met his goals with the draft class by adding winners, improving the team’s ball handling and having impactful scorers, while adding defenders and post depth.
Aziaha James (12th overall), Madison Scott (14th overall), JJ Quinerly (27th overall) and Aaronette Vonleh (31st overall), joined Bueckers as the Wings introduced their rookie draft class Wednesday at Dallas City Hall.
But there is no doubt the focus now, and in the next couple of years, is on Bueckers and bringing her unique skill set to a team and city that could use some good basketball public relations.
Bueckers said her faith keeps her grounded on and off the court and that she is excited to be in the same city as Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.
‘He’s been my favorite player since forever,’ said Bueckers, who alluded to Irving going through his knee injuries like she did in college.
Off the court, Bueckers has a multitude of endorsements, but Miller said he wasn’t worried that Bueckers wouldn’t sign her rookie-scale contract, which will pay $348,198in her first four years, including $78,831 in 2025.
‘Just being a part of a new family, a new city. Dallas is a great sports city,’ Bueckers said when asked what she is looking forward to. ‘We’re looking to be a big-name organization.
‘The people, the culture, Dallas becoming a place everyone wants to play. Everyone who is here wants to stay and enjoying playing together and being together on the court, off the court.’
With Bueckers in the fold, the Wings automatically will be one of the highest-scoring backcourts. It would be expected that Bueckers would take on the majority of the ball handling and keep up the efficiency she was known to have in college.
Bueckers is looking forward to playing with Ogunbowale, who is a four-time All-Star.
‘She’s electric. Can score at all three levels, obviously a bucket getter. So looking to assist her a lot, space the floor, get her open looks, play off each other,’ Bueckers said.
An adjustment period is sure to await Bueckers, whether it’s immersing herself in the food, music and, most importantly, the physical style of the WNBA.
When a reporter commented that Bueckers is the hottest thing in Dallas right now, she was quick to put her sharp wit to use.
‘I would say the weather’s probably hotter than me,’ said Bueckers, who, along with the fellow rookies, was gifted a Stetson Cowboy hat. ‘Definitely different than Connecticut and Minnesota.’