As the WNBA Finals tip off elsewhere, the Dallas Wings find themselves at a crossroads, looking to the future after a grueling 2025 season that ended with a 10-34 record and a second straight playoff miss. While the league’s brightest stars battle for a championship, Dallas fans and front office staff are already deep into offseason mode, plotting a course that could reshape the franchise for years to come.
One thing is clear: Paige Bueckers has become the face of hope in Dallas. The rookie sensation took the league by storm, earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award and dazzling both fans and rivals with her poise, skill, and leadership. Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting an impressive 47.7% from the floor across 36 games while logging 33.3 minutes per contest. Not bad for a first-year pro thrown into the deep end on a struggling team!
Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. On October 3, 2025, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese took a moment during her podcast “Unapologetically Angel” to shower Bueckers with praise. “That’s my dog,” Reese said. “I love Paige. I’m really happy to also see her grow. She did a lot of great things in the league this year.” The shoutout from Reese, herself a rising WNBA star, signals the respect Bueckers has already earned among her peers.
Inside the organization, the winds of change are blowing. The Wings parted ways with head coach Chris Koclanes after just one season, a move that underscores the sense of urgency in Dallas. General manager Curt Miller is bullish on Bueckers’ future, telling the Dallas Morning News, “[Leading] a franchise that has to build themselves back up is really part of what [Paige] is motivated to do. It’s part of her legacy now.”
Despite the team’s record, Bueckers has managed to keep spirits high in the locker room and among the fanbase. Nearly a month before the Finals, she posted a heartfelt message to supporters on social media, writing, “Process over results. Unconditional joy and gratitude, so much to be thankful for. Love my squad, they all deserve Teammates of the Year in my book, nothing is possible without them🤞🏼Now let’s keep on keeping on. Go wings!” That post has racked up over half a million likes, a testament to her star power and the loyalty she inspires—even in tough times.
The big question facing Dallas now is how to build around their new cornerstone. ESPN’s Michael Voepel summed it up in the network’s October 1 “WNBA offseason 2025: Guides for every team,” stating, “Build the team around Bueckers, a franchise-changing player who has adjusted quickly to the pro game.” But what does that actually mean for the roster and the future of other key players?
Arike Ogunbowale, the four-time All-Star who’s been the heart of the Wings since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2019, finds herself at a career crossroads. Ogunbowale played 29 games this season, averaging a career-low 15.5 points and connecting on just 30.4% from beyond the arc. A nagging knee injury limited her effectiveness and availability, and with free agency looming in 2026, her future in Dallas is far from certain.
Voepel’s analysis suggests a potential changing of the guard: “Ogunbowale will turn 29 in March, so she is still in her prime and may decide to see what the rest of the league has to offer. The Wings may be ready to totally reconstruct around Bueckers.” It’s a tough pill for fans to swallow, given Ogunbowale’s status as the franchise’s emotional leader, but the writing may be on the wall.
Throughout the season, flashes of brilliance emerged when Bueckers and Ogunbowale shared the backcourt, but consistency proved elusive. Injuries and roster churn made it difficult for the team to find its rhythm. Outside of the two guards, only Maddy Siegrist, Amy Okonkwo, and DiJonai Carrington (who was traded to Minnesota) averaged more than ten points per game. The supporting cast struggled to provide the depth needed to compete night in and night out.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Wings’ roster is still taking shape. Bueckers will return for her second year, joined by promising talents Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly. Siegrist and Diamond Miller have options for their fourth year, providing some continuity and upside. Dallas also holds valuable first and third-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft, assets that could be used to add more firepower or facilitate trades.
Free agency will be another critical battleground. Grace Berger, Tyasha Harris, Myisha Hines-Allen, Haley Jones, Ogunbowale, and Li Yueru are all set to hit the market, meaning the Wings could look very different come opening night. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as the league expands with the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire joining in 2026, bringing an expansion draft that could shake up rosters league-wide. Dallas must be strategic in deciding who to protect and who to expose, especially with so many contracts and futures in flux.
Despite the uncertainty, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in Dallas. Bueckers’ rookie campaign has not only given fans something to cheer about but has also caught the attention of the wider basketball world. Her journey mirrors that of Cooper Flagg, who was recently drafted No. 1 overall by the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, signaling a new era for both of the city’s professional basketball franchises. It’s an exciting time for Dallas sports—if you’re willing to trust the process.
As the Wings navigate coaching changes, roster decisions, and the looming expansion draft, all eyes are on Bueckers to see if she can lead the charge. With support from teammates, respect from league stars like Angel Reese, and a front office eager to build around her, the foundation is set. The coming months will reveal whether Dallas can turn promise into progress and finally return to playoff contention. For now, the city is abuzz with anticipation—and just a little bit of hope that the next chapter will be the breakthrough fans have been waiting for.
