With Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, the Wings’ starting backcourt is set for the future. The two guards have the potential to eventually form one of the best backcourts in the league. Dallas’ frontcourt isn’t nearly on the same level.
The Wings have started a few different frontcourts this season. They started with Myisha Hines-Allen and NaLyssa Smith at the five and four, and DiJonai Carrington at the three. After a while, rookie Luisa Geiselsöder took over for Smith. Then, Geiselsöder left for EuroBasket and the Wings traded for Li Yueru. For the last few games, Yueru and Smith have been the Wings’ starting frontcourt, with Kaila Charles taking over the small forward spot in Carrington’s absence.
No matter which players play the most minutes in the Wings’ frontcourt, Dallas’s big rotation is no match for the rest of the league. For Bueckers’ sophomore season, the Wings should try to put an All-Star-level forward or center next to their two star guards.
Dallas’ frontcourt doesn’t match up well with the rest of the league
The WNBA is currently filled with great frontcourts. Most of them are much better than Dallas’s collection of veteran role players and young players.
Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith in Minnesota, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart in New York, Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones in Atlanta, and Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor in Seattle are some of the best frontcourt duos in the league. Dallas’ frontcourt rotation is no match for those players.
It also can’t keep up with the Fever’s frontcourt of Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, Phoenix’s rotation of Kathryn Westbeld, Alyssa Thomas, and Satou Sabally, A’ja Wilson and Kiah Stokes in Las Vegas, or the Sky’s skyscraper duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The Mystics’ frontcourt of Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin also has a much higher ceiling.
Adding Li Yueru to the mix was a solid move. She adds great size to the mix and has already impressed with a big double-double in a surprising win over the Atlanta Dream. Yueru scored ten points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help the Wings secure their third win of the season.
Nevertheless, the Wings will need a better frontcourt if they want to build a playoff team around Bueckers and Ogunbowale.
The Wings hope to be better next season
Dallas is currently one of the worst teams in the league. Despite some big performances from Bueckers, the Wings are far away from putting together a successful season. On the bright side, the Wings have plenty of opportunities to develop young players and figure out which players are good fits with their new backcourt duo. The team’s struggles should also lead to another lottery pick.
Nevertheless, one should imagine that the Wings don’t want to miss the playoffs for much longer.