It is an exciting time for anyone involved with the Dallas Wings. After landing generational talent Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Wings have a chance to double down on their future with a second straight top selection this year. What Dallas should do with this pick is far from settled. Bueckers needs a dominant center to thrive, but reuniting her with Azzi Fudd is a tempting option. Landing Brittney Griner in free agency could solve this dilemma.
As an individual star, Paige Bueckers' potential is limitless. Coming off the back of a National Championship with UConn in 2025, the supremely talented guard's transition to the WNBA was seamless, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. However, from a team's perspective, the Wings showed that this roster is a far cry from helping Bueckers reach her potential.
Unrivaled was a great showcase of how effective Bueckers can be when paired with a center who excels in pick-and-roll situations. Unfortunately for Dallas, Dominique Malonga is already employed by the Seattle Storm, so they must uncover a player who can play in that role alongside the 24-year-old. Many draft experts believe it could be Spanish starlet Awa Fam -- preventing the Wings from acquiring Fudd. A smarter thought process could provide the franchise with the best of both worlds.
Brittney Griner can make an immediate impact
While the WNBA’s new financial landscape is a win for players, the heavier salary commitments it demands from franchises introduce greater risk into every roster decision. The Wings have all the evidence they need that Azzi Fudd can help Bueckers excel when they share a court; Awa Fam's partnership with the Dallas star is purely hypothetical at this point. Adding a center with a proven track record in the WNBA on a short-term contract would provide fewer problems.
Brittney Griner's career speaks for itself. Over 354 games throughout her 12 years in the WNBA, the 35-year-old has averaged 16.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. It is unlikely that the veteran will continue to record such impressive numbers at the latter stages of her career. But Griner's physical stature on the court will only enhance the devastation Bueckers can cause.
Few defenders in the league have managed to come to terms with the strength Griner possesses. Setting screens for her teammates to create the separation they need to attack the basket is a talent that comes naturally to the former Phoenix Mercury center.
Awa Fam has shown early in her career that she can execute this action effectively, particularly given her size and physicality. However, Brittney Griner’s experience at this level gives the veteran an immediate edge that her younger counterpart simply can’t match.
Paige Bueckers is already playing at an All-Star level that can place the Dallas Wings in a win-now era if the front office gets its recruitment right. Acquiring Brittney Griner doesn't just provide the franchise with a powerful center but also allows them to bolster their backcourt with a talented option in Azzi Fudd, who has already proved she has a telepathical connection with Bueckers.