The Dallas Wings are entering Year 2 of the Paige Bueckers era, and every roster move will be closely scrutinized as the franchise looks to build a contender around its superstar. Dallas' general manager Curt Miller has brought 22 players into training camp, but with just 12 regular spots and two developmental slots available on the roster, cuts are inevitable -- and JJ Quinerly could be among those on the outside looking in.
Undoubtedly, JJ Quinerly is a talented young player with a lot of potential and would be a valuable asset to several WNBA teams. Despite her rookie season ending prematurely due to a left knee injury, Quinerly still impressed Dallas fans with her electrifying pace and direct style of play. The 23-year-old averaged 6.5 points and 2.3 assists per game, while also recording a career-high 18 points during a 102-72 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury on July 8.
According to Drake Keeler on X, on April 23, Curt Miller hinted to reporters that JJ Quinerly may not currently be at the forefront of his plans when constructing the roster. “You think of a potential projected lineup of Paige, Arike, Azzi, Jess, and Alanna, you’re talking a second unit now of Odyssey, Aziaha, Maddy Siegrist, Awak, and Li." He then continued by stating, "That’s a pretty good 10. And we haven’t even mentioned [Alysha] Clark.”
Curt perhaps giving a roster preview
— Drake (@DrakeKeeler) April 23, 2026
“You think of a potential projected lineup of Paige, Arike, Azzi, Jess and Alanna, you’re talking a second unit now of Odyssey, Aziaha, Maddy Siegrist, Awak and Li.
That’s a pretty good 10. And we haven’t even mentioned [Alysha] Clark.”
Curt Miller's comments may confirm Quinerly's fate
Franchises use training camp to evaluate not only a player’s talent level, but also how they fit into a head coach’s system and how they respond to the culture already established within the team. Familiarity may favour JJ Quinerly; however, if a general manager already has a perception of which players will fit into plans, then she may be fighting an uphill battle.
In the above quotes, Miller named a total of 11 players that he can see sporting a Dallas Wings jersey when the season commences -- five of whom play out of the guard position. Realistically, even if Quinerly snatched the 12th and final place on the Wings roster, she would most likely fall behind all of the named backcourt options in the rotation.
Of course, this does not mean that Dallas wishes to waive the second-year guard entirely; they could sign her to a developmental spot. This could benefit the Wings as they would have an extra year to assess how Quinerly works alongside Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, but does this truly benefit Quinerly?
Due to her season-ending injury, Quinerly was limited to just 34 games in her rookie season. That setback has already slowed her development, so with developmental players only eligible to appear in 12 games per year, would that truly be the best option for her growth? Some may argue that learning from stars like Bueckers is invaluable, but there is a strong case that being on the court and acclimatising to the ruthless nature of the WNBA would be a far more enriching lesson.
Unfortunately for JJ Quinerly, this choice will be out of her hands. It seems that Curt Miller has had his mind made up for several months, and the high-octane guard does not fit his vision for the franchise going forward. Every franchise must brutally waive players before the season starts, and Quinerly could be Dallas' most notable casualty.
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