The Great Dallas Reset: A Risky Gamble and a High-Stakes Offseason
The Dallas Wings’ 2025 season concluded not with a whimper but with a statement. A dominant victory over the Phoenix Mercury, led by a historic performance from a trio of rookies, was a fitting end to a campaign that had a singular, overarching purpose: securing the best odds for the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery. This was not a season of missteps or bad luck; it was a deliberate, calculated pivot toward a long-term rebuild. Now, with the league’s top lottery odds in their possession, general manager Curt Miller and the front office face the most crucial offseason in franchise history. The path to the playoffs and a future championship rests on their ability to capitalize on their biggest asset and find a star to build around Paige Bueckers.
The trade of NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington mid-season, two of the team's promising young players, was the clearest sign yet that the Wings were fully committed to a rebuild rather than a retool. The objective was to shed contracts, accumulate future draft capital, and position themselves for the unprecedented 2026 free-agent class, a group that includes some of the league's most marketable and talented players. However, their immediate need is not a free agent; it is a dominant post player. The 2025 Wings had no one averaging more than six rebounds or one block per game, a staggering deficiency in a league where paint presence and defensive rebounding are paramount.
With a high-stakes draft lottery ahead, the Wings are in an enviable position to fill that void. They hold the best odds to land the number one overall pick, a selection that could provide a franchise-altering big to pair with their presumptive Rookie of the Year, Paige Bueckers. The decision at the top of the draft will be a fascinating one, as the Wings must weigh a "safe" pick against a potentially higher-upside international prospect. This choice will define not just the next season, but also the entire trajectory of the franchise.
While many mock drafts have touted Lauren Betts as the consensus top pick, the Dallas Wings should take a calculated risk on the immensely talented Awa Fam. The 19-year-old Spaniard is a truly modern big man, possessing a rare combination of size, athleticism, and guard-like skills. Fam has already demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level against WNBA-caliber players in EuroBasket, and her versatility would be a perfect complement to a high-IQ guard like Paige Bueckers. Instead of a traditional back-to-the-basket center, Fam can handle the ball on the perimeter, attack off the dribble, and create for her teammates, making her the kind of home-run swing that could lead a championship contender for years to come.
Should the lottery balls not fall in their favor, the Wings would still be thrilled to land Lauren Betts. The six-foot-seven UCLA product is the somewhat surefire, dominant interior player that can change a franchise overnight. Betts is a physical force in the paint, a ferocious rebounder, and an elite shot-blocker who would immediately transform the Wings' defensive identity. She would provide the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Bueckers, alleviating pressure on the rookie and giving Dallas a formidable inside-out tandem. She is the safer pick, a proven college star who will undoubtedly be a force in the WNBA from day one.
Beyond the draft, the unprecedented 2026 free-agent class will shape the Wings’ offseason. With significant cap space at their disposal, the team has the flexibility to be a major player on the market. The most pressing question for Dallas is the future of franchise stalwart Arike Ogunbowale. The dynamic guard is a pending free agent, and while her partnership with Bueckers has shown flashes of brilliance, the team must decide whether to commit to their two-guard lineup or pursue a new star. Retaining her would provide a proven scoring punch and a veteran presence, but it could also limit their flexibility.
Rumors have also swirled about the possibility of the Wings making a blockbuster trade for a player like Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. Acquiring Reese would instantly give Dallas the physical, all-star frontcourt presence they so desperately need, creating a dynamic trio with Bueckers and Ogunbowale. While a trade of this magnitude would likely require parting with their first-round pick, it would be a clear signal that the Wings are ready to accelerate their rebuild and compete for a title in the immediate future. The 2025-2026 offseason is a pivotal moment for the Dallas Wings. They have the assets, the cap space, and a young superstar to build around. The decisions they make in the coming months, from the draft lottery to free agency, will determine whether their high-stakes gamble pays off with a championship banner or simply leads to another cycle of rebuilding.
