Paige Bueckers<\/a> down in Dallas,\u201d Lobo said.<\/p>\nShe also pointed to why the fit makes sense on the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think she would be a phenomenal fit there,\u201d Lobo said. \u201cAzzi Fudd, because of her ability to score, and the way she can shoot\u2026 right away, you can bring in an efficient scorer, and we already know those two\u2026 have an incredible connection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following Fudd\u2019s strong showing at the Hall of Fame Women\u2019s Showcase, ESPN\u2019s updated mock draft moved her into the No. 1 slot, citing her efficiency, shooting, and the immediate chemistry she would bring beside Bueckers. Analysts also noted Dallas\u2019 need for perimeter shooting after struggling from three-point range last season.<\/p>\n
Curt Miller\u2019s Evaluation Features Optionality and a Clear Need<\/strong><\/p>\nInside the franchise, Wings general manager Curt Miller said the pick comes at an important moment for the organization. Miller opened his post-lottery remarks by calling the result a major step forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuge momentum moment for our franchise,\u201d Miller said. \u201cExciting times with our young core and new facilities coming on board and a new coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
When discussing the overall talent pool, Miller highlighted a notable detail that aligns directly with Fudd. While describing the skill sets available in the class, he referred to \u201cone of the best shooters with one of the fastest releases.\u201d That description fits Fudd cleanly based on her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and recent performances.<\/p>\n
Miller said the team\u2019s needs and priorities will shift as the offseason progresses.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the expansion draft and after free agency, it will all play a part in the decision heading into the collegiate draft,\u201d Miller said. \u201cThe optionality that we\u2019re going to have as we approach April is going to be really important for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that interest in the pick is already higher than it was a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve received more pre-phone calls before people even knew where we would be drafting about this year\u2019s draft than I did all of last year,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n
Culture, Fit, and the Paige Bueckers Factor<\/strong><\/p>\nMiller said cultural fit remains a priority as the Wings consider top prospects.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all starts with who\u2019s going to be a great teammate,\u201d Miller said. \u201cCulture is important. We want to win in the locker room before we win on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also acknowledged the influence Bueckers has on the franchise as it adds talent around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaige is a magnet,\u201d Miller said. \u201cPeople want to play with great players.\u201d<\/p>\n
With months still remaining before the draft and roster movement still ahead throughout the league, Dallas\u2019 decision remains open. But between Lobo\u2019s endorsement, ESPN\u2019s projection shift, Miller\u2019s emphasis on shooting, and the Bueckers connection, the early draft narrative is already taking shape.<\/p>\n
And Azzi Fudd is at the center of it.<\/p>\n
More Dallas Wings News & Rumors<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dallas Wings will hold the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft for the second consecutive year,…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":400830,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[67442,68016,10479,2470,2471,62,9766,67,132,68,232,21829,1706],"class_list":{"0":"post-400829","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-2026-wnba-draft","9":"tag-azzi-fudd","10":"tag-curt-miller","11":"tag-dallas-wings","12":"tag-paige-bueckers","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-uconn-womens-basketball","15":"tag-united-states","16":"tag-unitedstates","17":"tag-us","18":"tag-wnba","19":"tag-wnba-draft","20":"tag-wnba-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115603431974077729","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=400829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/400829\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/400830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=400829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=400829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=400829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}