The Dallas Wings are entering the 2025 WNBA season with high hopes. With Paige Bueckers-the first pick in last year’s draft-joining the team, fans were optimistic about a turnaround. However, experts remain skeptical, especially after her debut performance.
If last Friday’s preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Aces was any indication of what’s to come, head coach Chris Koclanes has a challenging season ahead. While the Wings displayed energy, entertainment, and flashes of brilliance, they were ultimately routed, 112-78.
Rookies JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James had their moments, and Bueckers showed glimpses of her signature skill, shooting 4-7 from the field. However, it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat. Analyst Rachel Annamarie DeMita didn’t sugarcoat her assessment, saying, “It seems like the theme this year is… this team is not going to be good.”
A tough road ahead for Bueckers and the Wings
DeMita, an analyst and media personality, remained blunt in her critique of the Wings. “The team doesn’t look good. I don’t think they’re going to have a winning record. I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs. It sucks for Paige, but it’s kind of the name of the game-number one picks don’t go to good teams.”
Despite Koclanes experimenting with various player combinations, none seemed to deliver the desired results. DeMita pointed out a key concern: “Bueckers is not the type of player who just goes out there and dominates or takes over games.”
She recalled Bueckers’ time at UConn, where she thrived alongside elite recruits such as Azzi Fudd and Sara Strong, key contributors to the Huskies’ championship success. “She does better when she has pieces around her,” DeMita explained.
Does Bueckers have a shot at ROTY?
While it’s too early for definitive judgments, DeMita contrasted Bueckers’ situation with Caitlin Clark’s. When Clark was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever last year, she joined an already solid if somewhat shaky team. Moreover, Clark’s ability to single-handedly shift a game set her apart.
Clark’s dominance led to an uncontested Rookie of the Year victory. For Bueckers, unless the Wings find a way to build around her, the franchise’s top draft pick may not be enough to change its fortunes in 2025.
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