Why Paige Bueckers isn't guaranteed to join Wings despite WNBA Draft Lottery result

The Dallas Wings earned the No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 WNBA Draft on Sunday as a result of the WNBA Draft Lottery. The Los Angeles Sparks were hopeful to receive the pick, but the Wings ultimately ended up with it. UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers is the likely No. 1 overall pick, but is there a chance that Bueckers will not enter the draft?

Does Paige Bueckers have any remaining years of college eligibility?

Yes, Bueckers has one more year of college eligibility following the 2024-25 season. The UConn star received an extra year of eligibility after her COVID-19 2020-21 waiver. However, Bueckers is expected to enter the draft.

She is already the projected No. 1 overall pick. The fact of the matter is that Bueckers does not have anything else to prove at the college level. Of course, winning a championship with UConn, who is 3-0 to begin the 2024-25 campaign, would only entice WNBA teams even more.

However, even if UConn failed to play competitive basketball this season Bueckers would likely still be the No. 1 overall pick. UConn is going to make noise, of course, but the point is that Bueckers has already displayed signs of stardom.

If Bueckers does indeed declare for the WNBA Draft, which is expected, she will be the No. 1 overall pick. There are other talented players but the chances of Dallas selecting anyone else, barring unforeseen circumstances, are slim.

The Wings endured a down year in 2024 after making a deep postseason run in 2023. Dallas made the decision to part ways with head coach Latricia Trammell after the '24 campaign. The Wings are hoping that a restart will help them get back into contention. Drafting a future star such as Bueckers will only help them improve at a faster rate.

Yes, there is an outside chance of the Wings ending up with a player other than Bueckers as the No. 1 overall pick. Nothing is official as of this story's writing. The WNBA Draft is still five months away, so anything can happen. However, WNBA fans can expect Paige Bueckers to wear a Dallas Wings uniform during the 2025 WNBA season.