Wings' draft night priorities may pivot as franchises face CBA conundrum

After brutal late-night negotiations, the WNBA and the WNBPA finally came to an agreement that will change the landscape of women's basketball forever. Now that players are being paid what they deserve, front offices must adapt to the immediate financial changes. Because the top pick in the 2026 WNBA draft comes with a higher salary, the Dallas Wings may favor an immediate-impact player over a long-term prospect like Awa Fam.

Even with extensive scouting practices, there are no certainties in basketball. Whether injuries stunt development, mental frailties reduce a player's drive to excel, or the spotlight of the WNBA is too great, sometimes betting on a star's future does not pan out like expected. With higher salary commitments for this generation, franchises can’t afford to miss on their picks.

In the case of the Dallas Wings, this is only one factor of the pressure. They must also construct a roster that can allow their superstar Paige Bueckers to thrive, while considering inevitable future pay increases into her contract. Additionally, Bueckers is a player who can win now, so finding a partner who can match her present ambitions is essential.

Increasing rookie salaries means higher starting expectations

Under the agreed “Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement", franchises must operate under a $7 million salary cap. Whoever Dallas selects as this year's number one pick will earn $500,000, while other rookie-scale contracts (e.g., Paige Bueckers) will be adjusted in line with the new CBA. Additionally, a rookie who earns All-WNBA honors becomes eligible for a max contract in year four—meaning Bueckers could receive a pay rise in 2028.

If it was not guaranteed already, Bueckers' sensational rookie year has established her as the talisman that Dallas will construct a roster around. Given that she averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists during her inaugural campaign, her current contract value is a bargain, and the Wings must capitalize on this opportunity while they have the cap flexibility to do so.

The consensus surrounding Dallas is that an effective center must be at the top of their shopping list this offseason—creating a narrative that Spanish starlet Awa Fam is the perfect partner to Bueckers. However, at just 19, like Seattle Storm forward Dominique Malonga, Fam would likely need time to adjust to a vastly different culture and style of play.

Experience may trump potential for Dallas

In contrast, an older and arguably more polished center with a perceived lower ceiling in UCLA's Lauren Betts could provide an immediate impact on the Wings. Standing at six feet and seven inches, Betts still possesses all the physical attributes to create the perfect pick-and-roll action that Paige Bueckers can benefit from.

Of course, Dallas could also dip into the free agency market to acquire a veteran front-court option, as their younger roster provides the financial landscape to offer a ready-made star a supermax contract (between $1-1.4 million). With players such as A'ja Wilson and Jonquel Jones yet to confirm their future, the lure of playing with a young star in the mould of Bueckers could be a tempting proposition, allowing the Wings to bolster other positions.

Many fans of the franchise would like to see the Wings utilise their pick to select UConn's Azzi Fudd. At first, this suggestion held little substance, but adding a player to the roster who has already proven to be an effective second option to Bueckers and who boasts impressive defensive attributes could prove to be shrewd business.

It cannot be denied that the new CBA agreement has redefined the future for this generation of WNBA stars; however, it has also posed some difficult decisions for front offices throughout the league. Balancing the future of the franchise with instantaneous winning is going to become an increasingly difficult proposition, especially for the Dallas Wings.