The Dallas Wings are reshaping their future, and new head coach Jose Fernandez has made his stance clear early.
His rebuild is centered firmly on Paige Bueckers, signaling a full organizational commitment to the young star.
Dallas entered last season with optimism after landing the 23-year-old, yet the results were grim. A 10-34 record forced management to reset again, leading to Fernandez‘s arrival and a renewed focus on identity.
Now, Fernandez has wasted no time establishing the UConn Huskies graduate as the foundation. While systems and rotations remain undefined, the coach has emphasized that everything the Wings do will flow through her skill set.
Bueckers carried an enormous load as a rookie. She averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists, earned Rookie of the Year honors, made the All-Star Game, and landed on the All-WNBA Second Team.
Her production came with limited help, but her composure never wavered. The season confirmed Dallas already has the cornerstone needed to guide a long-term rebuild.
“Paige is a very good basketball player,” Fernandez said on In Case You Missed It. “She’s one of the faces of the league and the future of the WNBA and also USA basketball.
“She wants to be coached. She wants to win. So, that’s plain and simple.”
Fernandez also stressed the value of flexibility created by holding the top draft pick, hinting that Dallas now controls more of its destiny than in previous rebuilding cycles – positioning them well to build for the future.
But it may take time before strides forwards arrive, and Bueckers herself has embraced patience during uncertainty, referencing Steph Curry‘s early Golden State Warriors years as inspiration for trusting the process.
“I remember Steph Curry,” Bueckers said. “Before the Warriors became the Warriors… ‘Just stick with us… We’re gonna figure it out.’ That’s the message.”
Is Arike Ogunbowale set to leave the Wings and Bueckers behind?
While Bueckers represents the future, uncertainty surrounds the present. Arike Ogunbowale has been the franchise face for seven seasons, but expansion and contract chaos may force difficult decisions soon.
Clutch Points contributor Jess Koffie projected her as the top selection in a mock expansion draft, sending her to Portland as the centerpiece of a new franchise.
“Portland opens its franchise history by choosing certainty in its most volatile form. Arike Ogunbowale is a player who thrives under pressure,” Koffie wrote in his analysis.
“By the conclusion of the 2025 season, her reputation as a fearless scorer was fully cemented. For an expansion franchise, this kind of presence is invaluable,”
Emphasizing how her confidence could shape an entire team identity from day one, losing Ogunbowale would be a blow but would officially move the Wings into the Paige Bueckers era.
With massive roster turnover looming, Dallas may decide the timing aligns with a full philosophical reset.
With the CBA unresolved and expansion timelines unclear, the Wings face complexity. Still, Fernandez‘s commitment to Bueckers provides stability as Dallas charts its next chapter.
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