Wings GM explains why gamers ought to need Dallas to select them in 2025 WNBA Draft

The Dallas Wings have the No. 1 general choose within the upcoming WNBA Draft, and their newly minted General Manager Curt Miller is able to win. The previous head coach now turned full-time entrance workplace government for the Wings has plenty of disgruntled and emotional basketball followers in Dallas to please this summer time after the best way the Mavericks season has gone. However with the untimely departure of 1 generational basketball participant in Luka Doncic, the period of the town’s subsequent generational basketball is about to start.

Until one thing groundbreaking occurs between now and Monday, the plain selection for Dallas will probably be to draft Paige Bueckers first general out of UConn. The previous Freshman of the Yr, Nationwide Participant of the Yr, and now Nationwide Champion is a generational expertise who has the power to show the Wings right into a playoff group — instantly. That’s precisely what Miller expressed the need for in a press convention held by the WNBA Thursday as all 4 lottery crew’s basic managers spoke to the media.

“Winners are vital to us,” Miller mentioned in response to a query on what the Wings have prioritized within the offseason. “By means of our trades we added quite a few collegiate nationwide champions, or at minimal, (gamers who) competed within the Closing Fours on the collegiate degree. We additionally added WNBA Champions.”

The Wings have been extremely active in free agency, not shifting their No. 1 general choose however nonetheless with the ability to herald DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Ty Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen. They may be part of Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist and Teaira McCowan — the gamers the Wings retained from the 2024 season. And Dallas won’t solely draft first, but in addition have the No. 12 and No. 14 picks as properly — picks that Miller mentioned might make the opening day roster, which he thinks makes his crew uniquely engaging for rookies.

“You’ll need to hear your title in the event you’re in [the late first round or early second round range] for Dallas, as a result of there’s completely a official probability to make our opening day roster,” he famous, including, “that’s not the case across the league.”

“So we’ve invested plenty of time on making ready to select 12 and 14, and we’re enthusiastic about it,” he ended.

That leaves the Dallas Wings with a core of veteran winners, a generational No. 1 general choose, and the possibility so as to add some impactful rookie growth initiatives to their roster. That’s particularly vital going into subsequent season’s free company, given many of the gamers within the league will probably be free brokers. With the CBA expiring after this season, gamers have been certain to barter contracts that additionally expired this season, guaranteeing that once they signal forward of subsequent season, they may achieve this underneath the phrases of the upcoming, expected-to-be-more-player-friendly CBA.

The one hope groups have of retaining gamers on these present contracts is to draft them now and hold them into subsequent 12 months. These draft picks could find yourself being the long run cores of sure groups.

However for this season, Miller is aware of eyes will probably be on his group. Not solely domestically from followers hoping to distract themselves from the plight of their NBA crew’s selections in 2025, however Dallas can be ready for nationwide consideration. Count on video games to be moved to greater venues and extra media consideration to return as Bueckers brings her throngs of loyal followers together with her to the group.

That comes with plenty of strain to win, which is why Miller mentioned that was the buzzword for his entrance workplace this winter. But, there’s additionally extra strain to verify gamers are protected as they proceed to realize reputation and fame.

“All of us took discover round our league [the need for] one thing so simple as safety for our gamers and the way to navigate the elevated viewership, the elevated fandom,” Miller mentioned. “Our gamers need to be protected and amplified on the identical time, actually taken care of. Our job throughout the league is to create an unbelievable atmosphere for these gamers.”

That’s develop into a precedence within the league as there have been a number of cases of gamers needing additional safety already. A man plead guilty to stalking charges earlier this 12 months when he traveled cross nation to “give Paige Bueckers an engagement ring” after posting about doing so a number of instances on social media. He should abide by a protecting order in place till 2064. As a part of his sentence, he’s not allowed to enter the state of Connecticut or enter any facility the place WNBA video games or practices are held.

Enhanced safety was additionally wanted final season when followers the place making an attempt to strategy each Caitlin Clark and Brittney Griner at airports. Quickly after, the WNBA approved chartered flights for the whole league — one thing the gamers had been advocating for over a few years. They cited each security issues in addition to efficiency issues after groups constantly skilled airline delays and cancellations throughout shortened WNBA seasons.

In order the Dallas Wings attempt to sustain with these different profitable WNBA groups, rising a profitable tradition is being prioritized. They acquired the nod from the basketball gods in getting that No. 1 choose, and now they’ll attempt to put within the work to take advantage of out of their luck. They’ll additionally should do a greater job than their NBA counterpart crew of retaining their celebrity in Dallas lengthy sufficient to win a championship, however given how far down in hell the Mavs left that bar, Miller must be set to clear it.