Despite boasting a talented core, the Dallas Wings remain a work in progress. Owning stars like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and Arike Ogunbowale has undoubtedly elevated the roster's competitiveness, but Dallas continues to be exposed by teams with a dominant interior presence. Without an established center, the Wings have struggled to unlock their full potential. However, Awak Kuier may have just shown against the Atlanta Dream that she can be the answer Dallas has been searching for.
Dallas' lack of depth at the center position has been a topic of conversation since before the 2026 WNBA draft. Should the office select a future superstar in Awa Fam with the first overall pick to immediately address that problem? Or should the Wings select Azzi Fudd, who can play alongside Paige Bueckers with great effect? Curt Miller opted for the latter, and the rest is history.
Well, not quite. While the selection may be history, the Wings' center dilemma is still a very prominent problem. Against certain teams, this is not an issue at all. This roster possesses the tools to go small, space the floor, and drain a high volume of 3-point attempts. Nevertheless, as the Atlanta Dream showed, this will not work against more dominant rebounding teams.
The Dallas Wings need a solution, and fast. Step forward, Awak Kuier.
Awak Kuier sent a message to Jose Fernandez against the Dream
Still only 24 years of age, Awak Kuier has a long future in the WNBA. After a two-year absence from the league, the Dallas Wings decided that it was time to re-sign its second overall pick in the 2021 draft back to its roster -- a decision that came as no surprise to the fans of the Finnish international. With that being said, questions remained over her role under the newly appointed head coach, Jose Fernandez.
Before the Wings' 86–69 loss to the Atlanta Dream, Awak had appeared in five fixtures for Dallas, and in three of those outings, she logged six minutes or fewer on the court. However, when she was unleashed for larger portions of games, her production increased. This was no different during the most recent defeat to Atlanta.
Awak Kuier recorded 16 points in 17 minutes on the floor, while shooting 6-for-6 from the floor, and 2-for-2 from deep. Not only was she a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the floor, but the versatile center also made an impact defensively -- registering four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Most notably, Awak's ability to cover multiple positions in the frontcourt could allow Fernandez to alter the lineups he has on the floor, especially against physical matchups like the Dream. Kuier's effectiveness in a forward spot can give Dallas greater lineup flexibility -- allowing Li Yueru to see more time on the floor. That duo would help address the Wings' biggest flaw so far this season: their lack of board presence, as evidenced by their 30.8 rebounds per game (11th overall in the standings).
After signing a three-year maximum contract with the Wings, it will be unlikely that Alanna Smith will drop out of the starting lineup in favour of Kuier. Smith was named the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, but has yet to find a stable footing in Jose Fernandez's system.
With that being said, Awak Kuier's performance against the Atlanta Dream will only further her case for a more prominent role in the Dallas Wings rotation. The team has already proven they have the potential to compete at the highest level this season, but without an established center on the floor, their ambitions will fall by the wayside.
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