In 2024, the Dallas Wings won just nine games. This year, they appear to be heading to another single-digit victory season unless they win one of their final two games.
Despite all the losses, Dallas fans have to feel pretty good about the future. Yes, the Wings continue to lose, but Paige Bueckers has been even better than advertised. She was named a WNBA All-Star starter, is averaging 19.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season and is a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year
award.
So, how do you assess 2025 for Dallas, given that they’ve found their star, but are still searching for win No. 10 out of a possible 44?
What went right in Dallas?
When we look back at this iteration of the Wings, Bueckers’ rookie season will be the biggest takeaway. Bueckers was superb in her first year of professional basketball.
She had some monster games, like her 44-point performance against the Los Angeles Sparks, which set a new rookie scoring record. While that was the most Bueckers scored this season, she had other equally impressive nights, such as her 35 points against the Phoenix Mercury and the 29 she also scored against Los Angeles.
So, now one thing is clear: Bueckers is the present and the future of the Wings. And considering how well she played, that’s great news for Dallas. Now, every decision made by the franchise must begin with the question, “How can we help Bueckers become the best basketball player she can be?”
What went wrong in Dallas?
Beyond Bueckers, there was not much else in Dallas that was good.
Rookie head coach Chris Koclanes didn’t exactly impress, optimize the team or maximize wins. In fact, there were some awkward press conferences and unfortunate viral moments where players appeared confused and bewildered by what was happening.
After another season full of losses, everyone and everything beyond Bueckers should be up for evaluation.
Another disappointment for the Wings was the lack of success of the Bueckers-Arike Ogunbowale connection. This backcourt duo had tremendous promise, but Ogunbowale had a down year, and with the pair unable to stack wins, it seems like it might be time for a change in Dallas. Ogunbowale is still a productive player, but again, everything is now about optimizing Bueckers for success in Dallas. If, after careful consideration, the team needs to move on from their superstar to improve the roster, then it’s time to take that pill. Of course, there are scenarios where that backcourt duo can remain together and upgrades can be made elsewhere, but change has to come one way or another for the Wings. That alteration could very well be Ogunbowale leaving Dallas.
This upcoming offseason will be big for the Wings. The good news is they have their star and saw how everyone on the roster plays alongside her. If they make the right moves, they could be a fringe playoff team next season and begin to look like an intriguing place to play. The other side of that coin, however, is more bad moves, questionable coaching and, suddenly, Buekcers will begin wondering if she should take her talents elsewhere.
If Dallas wants to ensure she never even considers leaving, they need to start making the right moves now.
