The Minnesota Lynx simply misplaced one in every of their cornerstones, as in one of many greatest strikes of WNBA free company to this point, Alanna Smith is headed to Texas. The 2025 Co-Defensive Participant of the Yr is signing a max contract to affix Paige Bueckers, the 2026 No. 1 Draft Choose, and Arike Ogunbowale on the Dallas Wings.
Paige, for one, was thrilled:
Grading Alanna Smith to the Dallas Wings: A+
It is a deal that works so properly for either side. For Smith, she goes from somebody who was waived only a few seasons in the past to being paid the $1.19 million max wage in yr one in every of a three-year contract. Dallas will get a much-needed presence of their frontcourt and a lift in defensive energy and rim safety.
Smith additionally has chemistry with Arike, having simply received an Unequalled championship collectively final month. Her signing instantly boosts the potential of this rebuilding Wings group, and at +4,000, they now have the eighth finest odds to win the 2026 championship, in keeping with our buddies at FanDuel.
This now shifts the offseason consideration to the WNBA Draft, the place there isn’t any clear consensus on who the Wings will decide as they choose No. 1 general for the second yr in a row. Earlier than Smith signed, there was a transparent want for a frontcourt presence, however now the state of affairs is completely different. Will they decide a extra conventional level guard possibility like Olivia Miles? A shooter in Azzi Fudd? Construct out the depth behind Smith and draft her a rookie in Awa Fam or Lauren Betts?
All eyes are on Dallas now.
#Dallas #Wings #Paige #Bueckers #main
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