One question has hung over the Dallas Wings ever since they won the 2025 WNBA Draft lottery and the pick that everyone knew would become Paige Bueckers: How will Arike Ogunbowale fit in next to Bueckers?
The 2025 season didn’t give a clear answer. Ogunbowale only played 29 games in what was the worst statistical season of her career and a very bad season for the Wings. Her struggles certainly raised questions about her fit on a team now completely focused on Bueckers after years of building around Ogunbowale. But how was Ogunbowale supposed to adjust when she missed a lot of time with injury, Chris Koclanes’s system was questionable at best, and the Wings traded DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith to focus on a young, inexperienced group?
Ogunbowale spent her entire time in Miami proving that she can take a step back out of the spotlight, if that’s what her team needs. She could do the same with the Wings—if she wants to.
Arike Ogunbowale helped the Mist win an Unrivaled champion
Ogunbowale found herself on an absolutely stacked Mist team in her second Unrivaled season. The roster also featured Breanna Stewart, Allisha Gray, Veronica Burton, Alanna Smith, and Li Yueru. At first glance, the starting trio for that team may have seemed obvious: Stewart, Gray, and Ogunbowale. They are, after all, the biggest stars in that group.
It quickly turned out that Burton was a better fit next to Stewart and Gray, and Ogunbowale was relegated to a bench role. Ogunbowale only came off the bench five times in her seven years in the W and was always a focal point of the Wings’ offense.
Nevertheless, she embraced her new role and became the Mist’s ultimate weapon off the bench, averaging 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals. She was also the Mist’s second-leading scorer as they waltzed to an Unrivaled championship.
Ogunbowale proved that she could function well next to other stars and impact winning in a smaller role. With the Wings, she wouldn’t come off the bench, but she would have to take a backseat to Bueckers.
Ogunbowale may be ready for a fresh start
Not many players remain with the team that drafted them for their entire careers anymore, and no one could blame Ogunbowale for wanting a fresh start away from the Wings. She gave the organization her everything, and it repeatedly failed to put a winning roster around her—or even keep a head coach around—before ultimately shifting its attention to a younger star.
If the Wings think (or know) that Ogunbowale wants to leave, they have essentially two choices: give the Tempo and Fire a chance to pick Ogunbowale in the expansion draft so she can become the face of a franchise again (or just let her walk in free agency if neither team picks her), or protect her, core her, and find a suitable trade. Even after a down year, Ogunbowale has trade value, so the latter may be the most realistic option.