Dallas Wings may still miss out on Paige Bueckers after WNBA Draft twist

[oldude]

Back in the 80's I believe a college QB named John Elway got drafted by a team he didn't want to play for. He told the NFL that unless he played for Denver he would play baseball, where he also got drafted. Elway played for Denver.

Bueckers has the leverage of returning to UConn for another year. When you got leverage you can move mountains.

Elway didn’t want the Baltimore Colts. So he showed up in NY to meet with George Steinbrenner and the Yankees who had the draft rights to Elway for baseball. He was honest with Steinbrenner, telling him he really wanted to play football. Steinbrenner liked Elway, and told him that he should use the Yankees to get the deal he wanted in football. Elway played the bluff. The Colts dealt their pick to the Broncos and the rest is history.

 

[hoophuskee]

You would do that deal all day long only if you are a Mystics fan and for no other reason. The Mystics have nothing to offer Paige by comparison to LA.

Of course Dallas wants her, but that doesn't mean they won't listen to trade offers. Switching positions with #2 pick LA for pretty much anyone from their roster (except Brink) and lets say another top pick or two in this draft and perhaps next year's too could definitely be worth considering.

Not enough. Paige is too great a player. They would be trading an all-time great. That's what Paige is projected to be. All-time greats keep thier teams in coentention. If the GM can't build with an all-time great then he doesn't belong in his job.

 

[oldhusky]

In terms of possible trade opportunities, another factor might be who else is available in the draft at the point. If you would be willing to trade the first pick, but could still end up with say Olivia Miles a couple of pick later, while picking up another couple of top players, then a trade becomes more likely.

I realize Olivia isn't nearly as good at scoring or defense as Paige, but I think she is the only PG prospect that "if" she declares could be a alternative with other substantial talent could be considered.

I also think the Valkeries could make a play. There advantage is they could offer anyone on the unprotected list in the expansion draft. Dallas could see if a couple of the best available players plus the #5 pick would be attractive to them, the Valkeries could select them and then trade them plus the pick to Dallas.

I doubt they would trade the pick, but if Paige took a stand on it they very well might.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Not enough. Paige is too great a player. They would be trading an all-time great. That's what Paige is projected to be. All-time greats keep thier teams in coentention. If the GM can't build with an all-time great then he doesn't belong in his job.

An example of how all-time greats (potential all-time greats) get traded is posted just above your reply by @oldude. But my friend, I'm not disagreeing with you, only strongly hoping a trade can be made so that Paige will play in my backyard and in the years I have left I can watch yet another all-time great on a regular basis live.

 

[hoophuskee]

Back in the 80's I believe a college QB named John Elway got drafted by a team he didn't want to play for. He told the NFL that unless he played for Denver he would play baseball, where he also got drafted. Elway played for Denver.

Bueckers has the leverage of returning to UConn for another year. When you got leverage you can move mountains.

John Elway was okay playing baseball. Paige wants to play basketball. Her leverage is overrated. When you are at the top of the food chain you don't want to delay what's already been delayed. She could do it but she won't because she has already experienced the misery of not playing over a year and one-half. College ball will not delay her desire to show she is great at the next level too and compete vs her peers either.

When you are a superstar you want to prove you are a superstar. Elway was projected to be a super pitcher. There was a question for him which sport though he liked football more. Paige doesn't have a legit other altrenative. Returning to UCONN to delay playing against her peers in which she has grown up all her life a dream to play pro ball seems far-fetched. All her life I believe she was looking forward to this. All her life. Injury in the back of her mind too. Just can't see it.

"Pieces" do not equal "superstar" play. You can continually build year over year with a superstar.

 

[Hayven]

If I’m LA, I’m thinking of ways to swap the #1 and #2 picks with Dallas. That may include bringing in another team in, like Seattle, for a multi-team trade. Jewell supposedly wants out of Seattle due to the dumpster fire surrounding the organization. I wonder if a trade with Seattle for the 1 & 2 picks, with Jewell and Magbegor, would be enough? LA gets the number 1 pick, Seattle gets the #2, and Dallas gets 2 playoff experienced vets? Leaving SDS and Nneka to run Seattle into the ground.

 

[bballnut90]

Dallas has been one of those organizations that can't seem to get out of its own way. Arike is who she is and for whatever reason has been allowed to play her game for the Wings. This franchise should be better than it is but oh well.

Paige will go first in the draft and likely to the Wings barring some strange turn of events but there is a long time between now and then.

To be fair people said the same thing about Indiana until they landed Clark and started winning games this year. Now it’s probably the strongest up and coming franchise after missing 7 straight playoffs (in a league where only the bottom third miss each year).

 

[bballnut90]

If I’m LA, I’m thinking of ways to swap the #1 and #2 picks with Dallas. That may include bringing in another team in, like Seattle, for a multi-team trade. Jewell supposedly wants out of Seattle due to the dumpster fire surrounding the organization. I wonder if a trade with Seattle for the 1 & 2 picks, with Jewell and Magbegor, would be enough? LA gets the number 1 pick, Seattle gets the #2, and Dallas gets 2 playoff experienced vets? Leaving SDS and Nneka to run Seattle into the ground.

Loyd/Magbegor are only locked in for 1 year, so you effectively trade away 3-4 guaranteed years of Paige for 1 year with those 2. And I can’t think of a worse backcourt mate for Arike than Jewell Loyd. Arike needs an unselfish guard rather than another Mamba-mentality “I need my 20 shots a game” type of guard.

 

[Alydar]

And maybe Dallas takes Amihere.

 

[Stagnant]

Getting Paige probably changes how I handle the expansion draft if I am Dallas. Kalani brown and teaira Mccowan. I am not protecting either of them. Too much of the cap is going to them. And the league is heading away from centers like that. Soares is a better fit with Paige.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

To be fair people said the same thing about Indiana until they landed Clark and started winning games this year. Now it’s probably the strongest up and coming franchise after missing 7 straight playoffs (in a league where only the bottom third miss each year).

The comparison between Indiana and Dallas is not apt.

Caitlyn came into Indiana in 2024 with only one player left from 2019 #1 — Kelsey Mitchell.

• There’s been a steady rebuild and development of Indiana’s roster to the point that you could say Caitlyn was the final crowning piece of Indiana’s rebuild;
• I don’t think Paige has the same situation in Dallas.

If the WNBA is to make immediate use of Paige’s star power to capitalize on Caitlyn’s trajectory, Dallas is probably the worst place for that to happen:

• Dallas has been the graveyard of high draft picks #2 while at Dallas; only Sabally and Siegrist have performed noteworthy well in Dallas;
• Having a new GM, a new coach and a new stadium are all nice, in a build-it-and-they-will-come way (but will they? #0)…
• But, Dallas still has Arike…
• Hiring a respected coach that will change the center of gravity away from Arike will help (or trading Arike will be even better);
• And, Howard said she is leaving (I guess she can still change her mind, and that is a market signal I will look for);
• Same market signal with Sabally.

These headwinds are formidable. A new CBA and a “clean slate” may make them manageable. But saying that lightning will surely strike twice, in Caitlyn’s and Paige’s case is a little too unmoored for me at this point.

#0 Indiana is crazy about basketball. Not sure about Dallas. A poster who lived in Dallas has said the Wings are an afterthought in Dallas.

#1 Arike’s first year at Dallas.

#2 Since 2019, Dallas had the following high draft picks: Allisha Gray (#4 2017), Azura Stevens (#6 2018), Moriah Jefferson (#2 2016), Satou Sabally (#2 2020), Charli Collier (#1 2021), Chelsea Dungee (#5 2021), Awak Kuier (#2 2021), Bella Alarie (#5 2020), Veronica Burton (#7 2022), Tearia McCowan (#3 2019), Maddy Siegrist (#3 2023), Kalani Brown (#7 2019), Odyssey Sims (#2 2014), Lou Lopez Senechal (#5 2023), Jacy Sheldon (#5 2024), Stephanie Soares (#4 2023).

 

[bballnut90]

The comparison between Indiana and Dallas is not apt.

Caitlyn came into Indiana in 2024 with only one player left from 2019 #1 — Kelsey Mitchell.

• There’s been a steady rebuild and development of Indiana’s roster to the point that you could say Caitlyn was the final crowning piece of Indiana’s rebuild;
• I don’t think Paige has the same situation in Dallas.

It hasn't been a steady rebuild--Indiana was 5-31 two years ago. It's been a 2 year improvement after drafting Boston and Clark. The previous years they were consistently in last place and badly botched draft picks, similar to Dallas (more on that below). Dallas's franchise has been far more consistent and successful than the Fever since Catchings left. This year they were absolutely decimated by injuries and had a bad year. Last year (2023) they were the 4th best team in the league and made the semifinals. No they haven't made a finals or been a true title contender, but they're a far more successful franchise than Indiana has been in recent years.

If the WNBA is to make immediate use of Paige’s star power to capitalize on Caitlyn’s trajectory, Dallas is probably the worst place for that to happen:

• Dallas has been the graveyard of high draft picks #2 while at Dallas; only Sabally and Siegrist have performed noteworthy well in Dallas;
• Having a new GM, a new coach and a new stadium are all nice, in a build-it-and-they-will-come way (but will they? #0)…
• But, Dallas still has Arike…

Dallas botching draft picks is 100% on coaching and GM, both of which are different this year. The GM is brand new after 9 years with Bibb. Last year the Wings sold out their season ticket allotment, and majority of their home games. The had one of the highest in demand Final Fours two years ago when LSU beat Iowa for the title. Dallas is the 4th biggest metro area in the country and their NBA franchise is consistently top 2-3 in attendance. The pieces are in place for the Wings to grow immensely as a franchise with or without Paige, but adding Paige takes them to new heights.

These headwinds are formidable. A new CBA and a “clean slate” may make them manageable. But saying that lightning will surely strike twice, in Caitlyn’s and Paige’s case is a little too unmoored for me at this point.

#0 Indiana is crazy about basketball. Not sure about Dallas. A poster who lived in Dallas has said the Wings are an afterthought in Dallas.

#1 Arike’s first year at Dallas.

#2 Since 2019, Dallas had the following high draft picks: Allisha Gray (#4 2017), Azura Stevens (#6 2018), Moriah Jefferson (#2 2016), Satou Sabally (#2 2020), Charli Collier (#1 2021), Chelsea Dungee (#5 2021), Awak Kuier (#2 2021), Bella Alarie (#5 2020), Veronica Burton (#7 2022), Tearia McCowan (#3 2019), Maddy Siegrist (#3 2023), Kalani Brown (#7 2019), Odyssey Sims (#2 2014), Lou Lopez Senechal (#5 2023), Jacy Sheldon (#5 2024), Stephanie Soares (#4 2023).

Fever's track record aside from Clark/Boston (who were obvious #1 picks) is on par or arguably worse:
2023 - #7 Grace Berger, has rode the bench in 2 years
2022 - #2 Nalyssa Smith, hasn't developed and will not play for Indiana next year
2022 - #4 Emily Engstler, waived after 1 season
2022 - #6 Lexi Hull, has turned into a solid 3 and D role player, the lone success story
2021 - #4 Kysre Gondrezick, played 19 games and was waived
2020 - #3 Lauren Cox, waived in the middle of her 2nd year
2019 - #3 Teaira McCowan, played 3 years, didn't improve much and was traded away for Engstler/Hull


Despite the graveyard of high draft picks, Clark and Boston were the first players with real expectations to be stars in the league. The same is true for Dallas when they pick Paige, she's the first draft pick that has truly high expectations in years. And as mentioned below, she has a different coach and GM running the show so it'll be a clean slate and a different franchise.

 

[bballnut90]

Getting Paige probably changes how I handle the expansion draft if I am Dallas. Kalani brown and teaira Mccowan. I am not protecting either of them. Too much of the cap is going to them. And the league is heading away from centers like that. Soares is a better fit with Paige.

Soares will be lucky to have a spot in the league next year after her first season. I agree with the idea that I'd look for a more athletic center who can run the floor and face up. Players like Tina Charles, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, or Temi Fagbenle (restricted FA) would all be good options in free agency.

 

[las715]

Loyd/Magbegor are only locked in for 1 year, so you effectively trade away 3-4 guaranteed years of Paige for 1 year with those 2. And I can’t think of a worse backcourt mate for Arike than Jewell Loyd. Arike needs an unselfish guard rather than another Mamba-mentality “I need my 20 shots a game” type of guard.

Basically all the players right now are on 1 year deals due to the new CBA that will go into effect next offseason.
Essentially for Dallas to do this trade it would have to be with LA for Davis, the 2nd Pick, LA 2026 pick and the right to Pick swap in 2027 and you still likely would need a 3rd team help Dallas clear cap space and get another asset.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

...The same is true for Dallas when they pick Paige, she's the first draft pick that has truly high expectations in years. And as mentioned below, she has a different coach and GM running the show so it'll be a clean slate and a different franchise.

The key for Dallas will be what they do with Arike. She has been a ball hog her entire life. Does anyone actually think someone is going to be able to change her just because Paige arrives on the scene? So, what will Dallas have then for Paige to work with? If they keep Arike and even if she tries to change, what kind of a player will she be? It will take a miracle for Arike to change her game! So, if they dump Arike, what kind of a team will Paige have to work with? Will Howard and Sabally change their minds and stay? I think with a new GM, new coach (depending on who that is), and Paige, the likelihood of them staying is a real possibility. However, if they leave, both Dallas and Paige are doomed for a number of years until ownership goes very deep into their pockets and starts purchasing some quality talent for Paige to work with. What a waste of Paige's talents and abilities that will be.

In Los Angeles, Paige will build on what Caitlin Clark started ... a greater interest in women's (professional) basketball. She will fill the 19,000+ stadium for home games and stadiums throughout the league. In Dallas, not so much. There are too many questions marks.

 

[cancontent]

To be fair people said the same thing about Indiana until they landed Clark and started winning games this year. Now it’s probably the strongest up and coming franchise after missing 7 straight playoffs (in a league where only the bottom third miss each year).

Correction, it didn't instantly change with Clark being drafted. Firing Catchings and bringing in Dunn was the first step. Moving on from Marianne Stanley and hiring Sides was next. Then factor in the drafting of Boston, Smith and Hull in 2023. If the previous front office was in place, I doubt Indiana would be where they are even with Clark.

 

[Stagnant]

There is no issue with arike imo. She has one year left on this contract. If this experiment with Paige fails; she is gone. And a better, stronger, more experienced with the wnba Paige takes over the franchise.

 

[Cuango]

Let’s face it! Dallas is simply (along with a number of other W teams) a bad organization. They have basically sold out any chance for big time success by building around a player who simply cannot play the team game that is needed in basketball. They need to clean house and keep (try to keep) Sabally, Siegrist, and whoever else they feel is a good fit with Paige, then hope Paige accepts that they are sincerely ready to build a team around her. It’s likely they would still be a bad team but at least would be set up for success in the near future. Paige is going to make any team instantly better but they, (Dallas) are going to have to give her the right teammates if they want to take full advantage of her skills! I believe, like Clark, other good players will want to play with her so they should be able to rebuild that team relatively quickly!

 

[bballnut90]

The key for Dallas will be what they do with Arike. She has been a ball hog her entire life. Does anyone actually think someone is going to be able to change her just because Paige arrives on the scene? So, what will Dallas have then for Paige to work with? If they keep Arike and even if she tries to change, what kind of a player will she be? It will take a miracle for Arike to change her game! So, if they dump Arike, what kind of a team will Paige have to work with? Will Howard and Sabally change their minds and stay? I think with a new GM, new coach (depending on who that is), and Paige, the likelihood of them staying is a real possibility. However, if they leave, both Dallas and Paige are doomed for a number of years until ownership goes very deep into their pockets and starts purchasing some quality talent for Paige to work with. What a waste of Paige's talents and abilities that will be.

In Los Angeles, Paige will build on what Caitlin Clark started ... a greater interest in women's (professional) basketball. She will fill the 19,000+ stadium for home games and stadiums throughout the league. In Dallas, not so much. There are too many questions marks.

Dallas isn’t going to get rid of Arike because of fear that her and Paige will not work well together. And I don’t disagree that LA would’ve been a better landing spot for Paige and the league, but they didn’t get the #1 pick. She isn’t going to end up in LA. Barring something strange she’ll be playing for Dallas next summer alongside Arike.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

The issue with Dallas is not the players but simply the Greg Bibb. He overextended his hand as a GM and created a not so great product. The constant firing of coaches and the hoarding of draft picks with no plan is what led to this.

As for Arike, I believe she's gotten a bad rap that is pretty unfair in my opinion. She's been the volume shooter that they drafted her to be. In the past couple of years you can clearly see she's been able to maintain her shooting mostly while also becoming a better distributor and actually make noticeable efforts on the defensive end.

With the addition of Curt Miller as GM I actually think Paige could actually do really well in Dallas. Curt has proven himself to be quite the GM while in Connecticut. Arike's presence will help ease some of the defensive pressure she would receive compared to a team like LA that lacks a clear dominant guard and Dallas still has good pieces that they can either build off of Paige and/or trade to get the pieces they need.

Outside of the clear marketing advantages of being in LA what exactly does LA offer over Dallas? The GM has yet to prove herself the lack of facilities and no control over their home venue scheduling has led to some of their best players to leave for greener pastures. It just feels like the uncertainty with LA will likely lead to a longer rebuild than if Paige goes to Dallas.

 

[cancontent]

The issue with Dallas is not the players but simply the Greg Bibb. He overextended his hand as a GM and created a not so great product. The constant firing of coaches and the hoarding of draft picks with no plan is what led to this.

As for Arike, I believe she's gotten a bad rap that is pretty unfair in my opinion. She's been the volume shooter that they drafted her to be. In the past couple of years you can clearly see she's been able to maintain her shooting mostly while also becoming a better distributor and actually make noticeable efforts on the defensive end.

With the addition of Curt Miller as GM I actually think Paige could actually do really well in Dallas. Curt has proven himself to be quite the GM while in Connecticut. Arike's presence will help ease some of the defensive pressure she would receive compared to a team like LA that lacks a clear dominant guard and Dallas still has good pieces that they can either build off of Paige and/or trade to get the pieces they need.

Outside of the clear marketing advantages of being in LA what exactly does LA offer over Dallas? The GM has yet to prove herself the lack of facilities and no control over their home venue scheduling has led to some of their best players to leave for greener pastures. It just feels like the uncertainty with LA will likely lead to a longer rebuild than if Paige goes to Dallas.

I'm of this opinion as well. She proved she could play with other guards, who were also volume shooters, like Loyd, Young and Mabrey while at ND. Everyone found a way to contribute in their Final Four and NCAA Championship runs. And as you noted, she's gotten better in the distribution area while at Dallas.

I don't think she's been a detriment to other guards who have been part of the roster. Mabrey did well and left via a trade by Wade of Chicago that didn't make sense for either team. Burton played well with her and Dallas opted to release her in favour of Jacy Sheldon. Maddy Siegrist and Satou Sabally also seem to have played well with her when they've been healthy.

I more than understand that team loyalty and biases come with being a sports fan, but it shouldn't cloud our ability to view the situation in Dallas from a holistic perspective. The GM's decisions have a lot more to do with the dismal track record of the team than any single player.

 

[baggerbob]

Let’s face it! Dallas is simply (along with a number of other W teams) a bad organization. They have basically sold out any chance for big time success by building around a player who simply cannot play the team game that is needed in basketball. They need to clean house and keep (try to keep) Sabally, Siegrist, and whoever else they feel is a good fit with Paige, then hope Paige accepts that they are sincerely ready to build a team around her. It’s likely they would still be a bad team but at least would be set up for success in the near future. Paige is going to make any team instantly better but they, (Dallas) are going to have to give her the right teammates if they want to take full advantage of her skills! I believe, like Clark, other good players will want to play with her so they should be able to rebuild that team relatively quickly!

And comparing Loyd to Arike is wrong. Loyd was fine with Sue and Breanna, 2 Championships, and the 3rd wheel.
Howard also played on those teams, and was content to be the 4th option, because they were winners.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

And comparing Loyd to Arike is wrong. Loyd was fine with Sue and Breanna, 2 Championships, and the 3rd wheel.
Howard also played on those teams, and was content to be the 4th option, because they were winners.

Honestly the more I think about it the more I think Jewell and Arike are similar players. The biggest difference is that Arike was drafted and became the team's best player and number one option in year one. She's never had a Sue or Breanna caliber player to even have the opportunity to be a #3 option on the team. As seen with Jewell, Kelsey Mitchell and even Kelsey Plum having a high quality PG/Post duo can make a world of difference.

The only player to really challenge her in terms of being a high of caliber player is Satou but due to injuries we've only seen her maintain top play in 2023. Which also coincides with Dallas best record in the franchise history since the Detroit Shock era.

Which again circles back to the real issue being Greg Bibb inability to build a roster. Fun fact, since Arike joined the team 6 years ago, Dallas has drafted 12 first round picks, 13 if you include the Soares trade in 2023. This is why the Curt Miller GM hire is a big deal.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

And like clockwork look whose proving my point.

 

[Stagnant]

I like the Miller hire as GM. But I would prefer for Bibb to just be gone. I think he has been the biggest problem in Dallas.

But regarding Paige, we have like 5 months. People need to chill out lol.