Getting the number one pick in the WNBA Draft can change a franchise’s entire trajectory. The Dallas Wings certainly hope that the arrival of UConn star Paige Bueckers will do just that for their organization. After losing Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard this offseason, the Wings need some fresh star power. If everything goes according to plan, Bueckers will quickly become a star herself and also convince some of the top players in the league to come to Dallas in free agency.
Expectations for Bueckers’ rookie season are high, even if Wings fans should not necessarily expect her to break as many records as Caitlin Clark did last year.
However, things may not look as smooth as fans are hoping for early in the season.
The Wings have to build chemistry and introduce a new system first
The Wings currently have 18 players on their training camp roster. Of those 18, only Teaira McCowan, Maddy Siegrist, and Arike Ogunbowale played for the Wings last season. While they are familiar with each other, they will have to get used to a new coaching staff and system.
The rest of the roster is new to Dallas, even though it is noteworthy that DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris played together in Connecticut. A lot of the players on the training camp roster are also new to the WNBA. Eight players—Paige Bueckers, Madison Scott, Aaronette Vonleh, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, Luisa Geiselöder, Mai Yamamoto, and McKenzie Forbes—are all rookies. At least some of them will make the final roster.
Training camp will be a crucial first step to getting players and coaches acquainted with each other as well as to build chemistry and establish a system. However, training camp and preseason may not be enough to find cohesion on a roster that underwent almost a complete overhaul.
The Wings have talent. Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale will be a nightmare to guard, DiJonai Carrington will wreak havoc on defense, and NaLyssa Smith and Maddy Siegrist may be poised for breakout seasons. Talent alone does not win games, though, if the fit is a bit clunky.
Just like it will take Bueckers and her fellow rookies some time to adjust to the WNBA game, it will take the players on the Wings’ roster some time to get used to each other and build chemistry. So, Wings fans should not panic when the first few games look a bit rocky due to defensive miscommunications and errant passes. It will just take a while for the players to learn each other’s tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. Doing all this under a new first-time head coach only adds to the challenge.