The Dallas Wings’ Fortunate Yet Challenging Road

The Dallas Wings have enjoyed quite a bit of good luck over the past couple of seasons, having snagged the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back years. In 2025, they chose Paige Bueckers, a player viewed as a standout in her class, and she’s quickly become a key figure for the team. Now, as they gear up to draft again in 2026, the Wings are looking for another star, though there seems to be no clear agreement on who that should be. This upcoming draft will provide them with a chance to select someone who can complement Bueckers and elevate their roster even further.

This streak of luck follows their earlier pick in the most recent draft, and they also had the top selection in 2021, choosing Charlie Collier. But that choice hasn’t really panned out, as five years later, Collier isn’t even on any WNBA roster. Plus, the team had to pass on the No. 1 pick in 2023, which adds another layer of complexity to their situation.

Despite having picked the top players in the past, Dallas still struggles to find its footing. They’ve made it to the playoffs only five times in the past decade, and it seems unlikely that free agency will offer them a lifeline. On the coaching side, there were rumors that head coach Chris Cocranes was let go in 2025, possibly influenced by Sandy Brondello’s departure. But, ultimately, Brondello chose to take a position with the Toronto Tempo instead.

Even with their recent advantages, the Wings have a mountain of challenges to tackle if they want to become a championship-caliber team. Delays in constructing a new practice facility and arena set them back at least another year, adding to their woes.

This lack of infrastructure could hinder their ability to attract top free agents. The WNBA is currently in an environment where teams with the best facilities seem to draw the best talent. It’s surprising, and perhaps a little frustrating, that some teams in the league still don’t have adequate locker rooms or practice resources. Given these circumstances, it’s understandable why elite players would gravitate toward teams offering superior amenities.

Moreover, markets like Dallas and Los Angeles, which have been slow to commit to upgrading their facilities, appear to be moving forward only because it may soon be a requirement in the next collective bargaining agreement.

Time is of the essence for Dallas if they want to transform their franchise into a desirable place for players. Bueckers, now in her second WNBA season, is in the midst of a four-year rookie deal. There are whispers that the players’ association might propose shortening rookie contracts in the upcoming CBA to grant players more freedom early in their careers. If that were to occur retroactively, Dallas may find the window to convince Bueckers to stay as a long-term asset closing quickly.

It’s clear that Bueckers is among the top talent in the WNBA, even as a newcomer. Her trajectory suggests she’ll continue to improve and possibly achieve great things, like championships and MVP titles. If Dallas fails to meet her professional needs, it’s likely other teams will be eager to take her on.

But beyond just being a star athlete, Bueckers is a person—and the Wings need to focus on signing players who will lift the team from merely existing in the playoff race to genuinely contending for a title. With a significant portion of the league likely to enter free agency with a new CBA, this could be a pivotal year for Dallas to bring in reliable talent. However, if they can’t provide the same level of amenities as their competitors, they might not succeed.

The clock is ticking for Dallas to capitalize on their current opportunities, and they likely have just a year left to act.