When DiJonai Carrington joined the Dallas Wings this offseason, there were high expectations. Paige Bueckers was joining forces with Arike Ogunbowale, but Chris Koclanes was also coming in with a defensive background to coach the team, and that's been Carrington's calling card.
The former Sun guard made the All-Defense First Team just last season and came in fourth place in the Defensive Player of the Year race, but there was supposed to be more to look forward to.
Carrington hasn't lived up to the hype yet
Nai won Most Improved Player of the Year last season, and that wasn't just because of her defense. Her offense had come a long way, and she went from averaging eight points, three rebounds, and fewer than a steal a game in her third year in the WNBA to 12 points, six rebounds, and nearly two steals a game in her fourth.
However, when you dive deeper into the numbers, there may have been a bit of fool's gold at play. Carrington's numbers improved, but so did her minutes, so she took more shots than ever before. She went from 17 minutes per game to 29, but her efficiency didn't follow the increase in floor time.
In fact, her field goal percentage has decreased in three straight seasons, dropping from 41.7% in 2023 to 40.3% last year to her current 36.4%. Meanwhile, her shot total has increased each year. The offense just hasn't been there, and the defense hasn't been strong either, but I don't think that part is all her fault.
She went 1/9 in last night's win vs. the Golden State Valkyries but was +16 in the plus/minus. I was in attendance for the game, and it was one of the first games this season that the Wings played disciplined defense from start to finish. There has been a lot of inconsistency from all the players on that side of the floor, and nobody looks good when that's the case.
Dijonai could improve her trajectory in the WNBA
Coach Koclanes brought Carrington off the bench in the Valkyries game, and his decision helped the team. Her two best games, according to plus/minus, are two games when she played fewer than her average minutes. He was asked about the decision after the game.
Wings' Chris Koclanes on the decision to not start DiJonai Carrington tonight: "Conversations throughout with DiJonai, with our team... Felt it was the right time to make a change and give Aziaha (James) a look."#WingsUp
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) June 18, 2025
It doesn't say too much, but that's likely to protect his player. That's fine. But it's been clear that the fit with DiJonai hasn't been as smooth as everyone would have hoped. I still believe she can turn it around, though.
Every now and then, she showcases some special moves, crossing over opponents and getting to the basket for a bucket. If she can hone that skill, she can up her game another level. This Wings team needs it, and the locker room needs her personality. The chemistry between Bueckers and Carrington is obvious, and there's no way the rook would want to lose her partner in crime.
She and Paige have been more connected off the floor than they have been on it, but that can change as they continue to learn each other's tendencies. Nai didn't forget how to play defense. If the entire team gets on the same page and stays there like they showed against Golden State, she'll start to shine on that end again. The rest must come from more work when nobody is watching.