Draft picks
The Dallas Wings finished 2025 with a 10-34 record and in 13th place. The good news for the Wings is that their abysmal record gave them the best odds to receive the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, odds which came to fruition on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the draft lottery.
In addition to the first pick in the upcoming draft, Dallas only has their own third-round pick, No. 31 overall. Their second-round pick was sent to Seattle in the Li Yueru trade.
Under contract
Dallas has several young players under contract already that they can build around or rely on as quality depth. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers is the clear centerpiece of the team. Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game on her way to being named Rookie of the Year.
Picked up later in the same draft but similarly entering the second year on their unprotected rookie-scale contracts are guards Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly. James’ minutes fluctuated throughout the season, but she still showed promise with a 28-point season-high performance and average of 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Quinerly, before her injury, was one of the WNBA’s top-performing third-round picks in terms of efficiency and production. The point guard appeared in 34 games, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while shooting 42.6% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range.
Additionally, Diamond Miller and Maddy Siegrist are each in the fourth and final year of their rookie-scale contract, and thus have protected deals for $94,740 each. Miller joined the Wings in August via trade with the Minnesota Lynx and embraced the chance for a fresh start. The former No. 2 overall pick saw her playing time increase in 15 games for Dallas, but not her statistical productivity.
Extension Candidate
Siegrist only appeared in 26 games in 2025 because of injury, but averaged 12.7 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the floor. When healthy, Villanova’s all-time leading scorer has shown her ability to be a key contributor and improve every season so far despite injuries. Dallas could lock Siegrist in as far as through the 2029 season (according to the expiring CBA), ideally at a reasonable price.
Contracts
- Paige Bueckers – $80,408
- Aziaha James – $73,905
- JJ Quinerly – $67,401
- Diamond Miller – $94,740 – PROTECTED
- Maddy Siegrest – $94,740 – PROTECTED
Value of all protected contracts: $189,480
Value of all contracts: $411,194
Unrestricted free agents
Because of their relatively young core, Dallas doesn’t have as many free agents as most other teams. Only Arike Ogunbowale, Myisha Hines-Allen and Tyasha Harris are true unrestricted free agents. Hines-Allen joined Dallas in the previous offseason via free agency, while Harris arrived in a four-team trade and then missed much of the season with injury.
Free Agent Spotlight
Ogunbowale has been Dallas’ centerpiece since she was selected No. 5 overall in the 2019 Draft by the Wings. However, Bueckers has rightfully taken over that distinction.
Bueckers and Ogunbowale didn’t show much promise as a synergistic pairing. The volume shooting guard had the least efficient season of her career in 2025, shooting 40.2% from two and 30.4% from three. She also averaged her lowest points per game at 15.5. But Ogunbowale can be a source of veteran stability. Does Dallas maintain some continuity and hope the pair meshes better, or move on?
Dallas will first have to decide whether or not it will protect Ogunbowale in the expansion draft. If she is protected or not picked up, free agency awaits. The Notre Dame guard’s last contract was an extension that guaranteed her the supermax salary each of the last three seasons.
Reserved free agents
Dallas also has four reserved free agents: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Haley Jones and Grace Berger. Reserved free agents (under the expiring CBA) are players whose contract expired but have three years of service or fewer in the WNBA. If they are sent a reserved qualifying offer within the designated period (last year, Jan. 11 – 20), then the team reserves exclusive negotiating rights with that player. Otherwise, they will become full unrestricted free agents. These qualifying offers are non-guaranteed money that teams can cut at a later date.
Geiselsöder and Yueru were impactful additions to the front court before each suffered an injury that ruled them out for the rest of the season. Geiselsöder appeared in 28 games before a shoulder injury, and Yueru only made it 22 before an ACL sprain in her left knee. Berger and Jones were brought in as injuries mounted and particularly decimated Dallas’ options at point guard.
Analysis
This combination of contracts gives Dallas a good amount of cap space and roster flexibility to work with in the offseason, even without currently knowing what the salary cap and new salary structures will be.
This is good news for a Dallas team that was very bad in 2025. They were 11th in defensive rating and 10th in offensive rating according to Basketball Reference. The Wings struggled with endless injuries and roster moves that constantly changed up the rotation and roster, but that doesn’t explain all of their issues. First-year head coach Chris Koclanes seemed out of his depth and was replaced shortly after the season concluded.
Curt Miller enters his second season as Dallas general manager in what was likely always expected to be a long-term project. He will work with Dallas’ third head coach in as many seasons, new hire Jose Fernandez. Fernandez spent 25 years at the University of South Florida, making the NCAA Tournament 10 times. His international recruiting acumen was a significant part of his success, as well as his reputation for offense.
Multiple championship teams have been built off of back-to-back No.1 picks, most recently the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. The Wings could look to replicate this, like the Indiana Fever are trying to do after picking Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark in consecutive drafts. The draft and the team’s exciting young core are important for Dallas, but they’ll also likely want to mix in some veteran talent. The combination of roster and cap flexibility means the potential for success in Dallas is high after several disappointing seasons.
Note: This will be updated accordingly with salary cap details and any relevant definitional changes when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed.