The Wings' Next Season: A Chance to Redeem Past Draft Missteps
The upcoming season presents a golden opportunity for the Wings to prove their mettle and address past draft shortcomings. Since 2019, the Wings have drafted 15 players with first-round picks, but only 5 made it to the 2025 roster. The rest either moved on, were waived, or are no longer in the league. This raises the question: Can the Wings turn things around and set their young players up for success?
One player who could be pivotal in this redemption story is Awak Kuier. Despite not playing in the WNBA since 2023, Kuier is only 24 and having a stellar season with Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring Istanbul. General Manager Curt Miller is reportedly keen to bring her back to Dallas. Kuier, the Wings' second overall pick in 2021, struggled in her early seasons, averaging just 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds over 86 games. However, her return to the W could be transformative, as she gains experience and maturity.
The Wings' draft history is a tale of both success and failure. Since moving to Dallas, they've made the playoffs just once and missed the postseason five times. This has led to a collection of talented draft picks, but the challenge lies in identifying players who can thrive in the WNBA and stay with the team. For instance, in 2019, they drafted Arike Ogunbowale, who has remained with the team, but the same cannot be said for all their top picks.
In 2021, the Wings had a trio of first-round picks: Charli Collier, Awak Kuier, and Chelsea Dungee. Unfortunately, Collier and Dungee are no longer in the league. The latter lasted only 14 games with the Wings, and Collier was waived in 2023. The following year, they drafted Veronica Burton, who was waived after two seasons and now plays for the Valkyries. The 2023 draft saw some success, with Maddy Siegrist and Lou Lopez Sénéchal still contributing, but the team lost Jacy Sheldon and Carla Leite in the expansion draft.
The Wings' draft journey is a cautionary tale, highlighting the challenges of identifying and nurturing young talent. The upcoming season is a critical juncture for the team to prove their ability to develop players and build a sustainable future. Will they rise to the occasion and turn their draft fortunes around?
