Dallas Wins the Paige Bueckers Sweepstakes

[RSHERMVIKES]

I feared the Wings getting the #1 pick!
Anywhere Arike is a swamp!
Several players have asked for trades away from Dallas, Mabrey, now Howard, and there has been several others!
Almost anywhere else would be better than Dallas' present situation!

 

[Stagnant]

Because Paige is such a ticket seller; I don’t believe any team can afford to trade for the pick. Dallas would have to receive a massive haul for it to be worth it.

 

[hoophuskee]

Paige is not coming back to UCONN.
Paige will not bypass the WNBA, She's a competitor and llike many great competitor players that grew up - it's probbaly her life-long dream to play in WNBA. Especially now with WBB more popular. She is going to want to keep the sport growing as well. Not runaway from challenges.
There is noooooooo wayyyyyyyyyyyy Dallas is going to trade her unless the other team offers their entire team and revenues for next many years. And that has about as much chance happening as me signing a contract to play in the NBA.

 

[hoophuskee]

Because Paige is such a ticket seller; I don’t believe any team can afford to trade for the pick. Dallas would have to receive a massive haul for it to be worth it.

Ticket selling is part of it as is in hoop one player affects the outcome of a game so much. This past year in WNBA Stewie and Napheesa. Last year Stewie and Wilson.

There is no logical sense to willingly trade a generational player unless its for another one. The Dallas GM that has taken the job has confidence in his own abilities in which I'm sure when he was interviewed he told the ownner he could get the job done. There is noooo wayyyyy he wouldn't have confidence in his own abilities to build around a generational player.

 

[Zarathustra]

If Paige goes pro next year, is her full 3-4 year rookie contract locked in at 75k/year now? Vs if she waits until 2026, her rookie contract will be on the new negotiated rate (which is expected to be much higher?). Granted it all pales in comparison to the amount she makes from social media, but something to consider for her or in particular players like Harmon/Miles/Fudd who may benefit financially from staying an extra year in college.

Dallas isn't ideal as a landing spot but I also don't see it as a horrible destination. People felt Indiana was a death sentence location 2 years ago and look at the franchise now. Provided she stays healthy, Paige will be great wherever she lands. If she struggles to play alongside Arike, one of them will eventually leave. Arike is a solid passer and a great competitor. Teams will have a nightmare trying to matchup with her/Paige defensively. Most important, she seems thrilled at the prospect of playing with Paige.

An "interesting" quote form ARIKE in the attachment. see "X" the attachment and @Arike_O.

 

[Bald Husky]

The option of skipping the W to just play overseas is something to consider. Gabby did it and came back after a triumphant Olympics performance with her choice of teams in the W.

I believe that Seattle owned the rights to Gabby, so she did not have her choice of teams. Paige is 23, so staying in college another year would not help her career in the pros. Overseas, don't think so. BTW, she has already signed up to play in the new Unrivaled league for 2025. Paige can make it work no matter where she is, and yes, even in Dallas with Arike.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I believe that Seattle owned the rights to Gabby, so she did not have her choice of teams. Paige is 23, so staying in college another year would not help her career in the pros. Overseas, don't think so. BTW, she has already signed up to play in the new Unrivaled league for 2025. Paige can make it work no matter where she is, and yes, even in Dallas with Arike.

You are correct, she can make it work anywhere she goes, we're just hoping it isn't with Arike. But if it is with her, Wings management and coaching will have to make the decision very clear on who will be running the team on the floor. If it's Paige, then the Wings will be a treat provided their "bigs" can do the job at both ends of the court and Arike doesn't pout.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I don't know how it gets done, but I still think there is a good chance Paige ends up in Los Angeles. The league needs to build on the momentum that Clark provided. Paige in L.A. would do just that.

Amen to that!

 

[HopJim]

Ugh! Having recently moved from the Dallas area, this is probably the worst place Paige could go. Nice place to live but women's basketball is not even on the list of top 10 area sports programs. While Paige is a somewhat national brand, considering the relatively low pay scale of women's basketball, from a marketing perspective she would be much better off in almost any of the other large cities. Stars history is one of poor management and coaching, poor fan attendance, and little coverage in the sports media. I wish I could have a more positive view but lived there 10 years and that's the way it is.

 

[HopJim]

Honestly, she should consider it. IMHO this was the worst outcome for Paige, unless the ownership group gives Miller way more latitude, and they hire the right coach (though really, who?). Paige would have been a terrific fit with Hamby, Brink, and Rickea, and LA desperately needed a distributor who can also score from outside. I just don't see the Paige & Arike show working. Someone tell me why I'm wrong.



This. Think of the deals JuJu has been cutting in LA. No way Paige cares about saving a couple thousand in state income taxes on her measly WNBA rookie scale salary compared to landing several six figure NIL deals in LA.

Any taxes saved would be relatively immaterial. More importantly, Dallas does not have significant support for women's sports and I doubt Paige would enjoy the lack of local media coverage and the lack of fans. As an example, I was in the stands at a UConn/SMU game where Geno set one of his many records for consecutive wins. UConn was ranked #1 and coming off a Championship season. Several All Americans playing. They were giving away tickets.

 

[hipressure]

There seems to be a lot of negativity about Arike. But have any of you considered that she dominates the ball for the Wings because she has to? Who else on this team has shown consistency when given an opportunity? I don't think it's an Arike problem as much as a cultural one. When did the Wings possess a winning culture? Have they ever? That's not a player problem, that is ownership, GM, Coaching staff Etc.. I would agree that Paige would be a better fit in LA, even more than D.C. But when it comes to Dallas the issues are much larger than Arike.

I believe Arike will welcome Paige with open arms and finally breathe a sigh of relief. We know what Paige can and will do on any team, and I believe that Arike does as well. I can't wait to see Paige in the W. I believe Paige will be great and will draw even more fans and create more interest in the league.

 

[cancontent]

I really don't get how some are thinking Paige will have the ability to demand where she goes during the draft. The days of athletes being able to make demands before they get drafted are long gone. Is this really the UConn way that continues to be preached?

Sure, I get the fact UConn fans aren't high in Arike but no one knows what Miller has planned for this organization. For all we know they could work well together with whatever roster he puts together.

Paige is a professional and will do her best in any situation that's put in front of her. Let's wait until the draft to see what really happens.

 

[oldude]

There seems to be a lot of negativity about Arike. But have any of you considered that she dominates the ball for the Wings because she has to? Who else on this team has shown consistency when given an opportunity? I don't think it's an Arike problem as much as a cultural one. When did the Wings possess a winning culture? Have they ever? That's not a player problem, that is ownership, GM, Coaching staff Etc.. I would agree that Paige would be a better fit in LA, even more than D.C. But when it comes to Dallas the issues are much larger than Arike.

I believe Arike will welcome Paige with open arms and finally breathe a sigh of relief. We know what Paige can and will do on any team, and I believe that Arike does as well. I can't wait to see Paige in the W. I believe Paige will be great and will draw even more fans and create more interest in the league.

It’s something of a “chicken and egg” question. Does Arike dominate the ball in Dallas because she has to or does she dominate the ball because she’s always dominated the ball? What we do know is that in Arike’s 6 seasons the Wings have now fired 3 coaches and a GM, countless players have departed for greener pastures, former top pick Charli Collier is out of basketball and two top veteran players, Sabally & Howard, are free agents.

 

[oldude]

I really don't get how some are thinking Paige will have the ability to demand where she goes during the draft. The days of athletes being able to make demands before they get drafted are long gone. Is this really the UConn way that continues to be preached?

Sure, I get the fact UConn fans aren't high in Arike but no one knows what Miller has planned for this organization. For all we know they could work well together with whatever roster he puts together.

Paige is a professional and will do her best in any situation that's put in front of her. Let's wait until the draft to see what really happens.

I agree that Paige is, or will be, a professional and that we don’t know what Miller and his soon to be named HC have planned for this organization. But make no mistake, Paige will have enormous leverage, particularly if she’s named NPOY again and leads the Huskies to a 12th national championship. Whether she needs or wants to use that leverage is another question.

 

[Stagnant]

Paige isn’t going to win the title her first year. Nor would she expect to win the title. I would try it with Arike for a year. If it doesn’t work, then Arike has to go.

And any trade package for Paige would have to include Caitlin Clark or Dallas is definitely losing the trade. I wouldn’t even trade that number one pick for Aja.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

There seems to be a lot of negativity about Arike. But have any of you considered that she dominates the ball for the Wings because she has to? Who else on this team has shown consistency when given an opportunity? I don't think it's an Arike problem as much as a cultural one. When did the Wings possess a winning culture? Have they ever? That's not a player problem, that is ownership, GM, Coaching staff Etc.. I would agree that Paige would be a better fit in LA, even more than D.C. But when it comes to Dallas the issues are much larger than Arike.

I believe Arike will welcome Paige with open arms and finally breathe a sigh of relief. We know what Paige can and will do on any team, and I believe that Arike does as well. I can't wait to see Paige in the W. I believe Paige will be great and will draw even more fans and create more interest in the league.

These are the 6 rosters with Arike (noting players not with the team in 2025 as well as high draft picks — players listed only once):

• 2019: Allisha Gray, Karlie Samuelson, Azura Stevens
• 2020: Moriah Jefferson, Marina Mabrey, Astou Ndour-Fall, Katie Lou Samuelson
• 2021: Dana Evans | Charlie Collier
• 2022:
• 2023: Crystal Dangerfield, Odyssey Sims
• 2024: Natasha Howard#1 | Lou Lopez Senechal

#1: UFA and not considering Dallas.

To say Arike had to play the way she has is a little humorous. Arike is playing the way she has is because she doesn’t know how (or refuses) to play differently.

• And the Dallas franchise has not thought that was a problem, despite team performance.

After 6 iterations, will Arike change in year 7? Not hopeful. Then again, it boggles the mind that there’s even a 7th iteration involving Paige.

 

[cancontent]

I agree that Paige is, or will be, a professional and that we don’t know what Miller and his soon to be named HC have planned for this organization. But make no mistake, Paige will have enormous leverage, particularly if she’s named NPOY again and leads the Huskies to a 12th national championship. Whether she needs or wants to use that leverage is another question.

This attitude/mentality from fans on this board that she should use whatever leverage she has to avoid going to Dallas is what I don't get. When players like Eli Manning, Eric Lindros, John Elway, Jim Kelly, and others have done the same they've been seen as petulant or egotistical for making such demands. Now because of a person UConn fans don't seem to like, it's acceptable?

 

[oldude]

This attitude/mentality from fans on this board that she should use whatever leverage she has to avoid going to Dallas is what I don't get. When players like Eli Manning, Eric Lindros, John Elway, Jim Kelly, and others have done the same they've been seen as petulant or egotistical for making such demands. Now because of a person UConn fans don't seem to like, it's acceptable?

The 4 players you cite were all champions who are revered in their sports. Whatever petulance they demonstrated relative to their draft status was soon forgotten when they achieved success as professionals. Lindros, Elway & Kelly are Hall of Famers. Manning becomes eligible for the HOF in 2025.

The situation in Dallas is a real problem. If I were the new GM, I would reach out to Paige’s agent, behind the scenes, to see what Paige’s thoughts are. With or without Paige, the Wings need to seriously assess whether the future of the franchise is better served without Arike.

 

[ConnManFan]

Winning in the W requires lock down defense. Great defense is a much better predictor of success then an explosive offense is. Hopefully Dallas management recognizes this and hires a defense minded coach and realizes thaat the team probably advances quicker by subtracting players who wont play defense.

 

[oldhusky]

It’s something of a “chicken and egg” question. Does Arike dominate the ball in Dallas because she has to or does she dominate the ball because she’s always dominated the ball? What we do know is that in Arike’s 6 seasons the Wings have now fired 3 coaches and a GM, countless players have departed for greener pastures, former top pick Charli Collier is out of basketball and two top veteran players, Sabally & Howard, are free agents.

I think it is both. In my opinion Arike is best on a team that needs a high volume mediocre efficiency type of player. Good player on a bad team, not efficient enough and too much ball hog on a good offensive team. Come to think of it, she might be an interesting player that could create some interest for an expansion team.

There is also the defensive issue, not just that she is not known for her defense, but also she is a SG in a PG body. The reason small SG"s don't work well is not so much on the offensive end as the defensive one. But a small SG can work with a big PG, because on defense they switch roles. Example is Gray and Plum on the Aces.

Although on offense I don't like the potential fit at all, on defense Paige could guard the SG and Arike the PG which hides Arike's defensive issues just a bit, but overall in the long term I don't think there is synergy there.

 

[nickp91]

WNBA can’t lose the Wings and want to bring the Comets back Growing the WNBA in Texas should be a priority

 

[cancontent]

The 4 players you cite were all champions who are revered in their sports. Whatever petulance they demonstrated relative to their draft status was soon forgotten when they achieved success as professionals.

The situation in Dallas is a real problem. If I were the new GM, I would reach out to Paige’s agent, behind the scenes, to see what Paige’s thoughts are. With or without Paige, the Wings need to seriously assess whether the future of the franchise is better served without Arike.

Is a problem I agree, but I disagree that Arike is the core reason why as some are implying in this thread. Even before she was drafted there, the team had their issues. It starts with the front office and their decisions. Similar to Indiana until they hired Dunn. Hopefully, with Miller at the helm the Wings will make better decisions.

 

[oldhusky]

Because Paige is such a ticket seller; I don’t believe any team can afford to trade for the pick. Dallas would have to receive a massive haul for it to be worth it.

That could be. I don't think anybody thought that the Clark effect would be as massive as it was with quantum leaps across the board in attendance and viewership. Paige is being billed as this year's version of that, maybe not to that degree, but still major. It is hard to put a value on a player that has a major impact on revenue, creating brand new fans, but you still get to pay her a low first year salary, even for several years.

The new contract will probably be much better for the players, but Clark's initial contract when all things are considered might be the best value of any contract in the history of professional sports. Some players have turned teams performance around as much, but I can't think of anyone who impacted attendance or viewership, not just for her team, but of the whole league as much as last year.