Ending the 2025 season with 10 wins against 34 losses, the playoffs is not the only thing that was out of reach for Dallas.

As coaches and teams start preparing for the 2026 season, Dallas Wings have one thing they have to figure out first: A full roster. With just 6 players officially on the team, Dallas will be looking to fill the rest of the mandatory 5 spots before the season.

With Paige Beuckers joining the team as the No. 1 draft a year ago, the sun seemed to start shining on them. Unfortunately we thought wrong. By the end of the 2025 season, majority of the roster are set to enter free agency while the rest will resign with the Wings.

That being said, with the ongoing CBA negotiations, 100 out of 156 players in the WNBA are free agents. And yes, Dallas does have a young team at its core but it has larger obstacles to plan ahead of.

Dallas' team that is spearheaded by point guard Paige Bueckers, provides hope but the team needs immediate, experienced depth. Bueckers, who led the team in scoring with a 19.2 points per game, needs a consistent and reliable supporting cast. Relying solely on minimum contracts to fill the five open spots risks undermining the existing talent, making the strategic use of every available dollar vital.

The biggest asset the Wings possess is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. This is, as Miller put it, a “huge momentum moment.”

The potential selection of Azzi Fudd, who is currently projected as the No. 1 pick in most mock drafts, offers an almost storybook reunion. The on-court chemistry between Bueckers and Fudd, proven during their college careers, could instantly revitalize the team’s backcourt and fan interest.

However, "optionality" extends beyond Fudd. The No. 1 pick carries immense trade value. Given the depth of the 2026 free-agent class, the team could choose to trade the pick for an established veteran center or a proven wing shooter on a protected contract. This move would address immediate needs and roster balance without relying on a rookie learning curve.

The Wings have a young core and an abundance of draft capital, but they need to execute their strategy flawlessly.

Will they use their draft pick to build a compelling duo for the future, or will they leverage it for established talent to win now? All we can do is wait and watch as the WNBA offseason heats up.

Written by

Oajaswini Prabhu