Paige Bueckers did her part during historic rookie season. Now Dallas Wings must do the same

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• Paige Bueckers named 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year

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Paige Bueckers did her part during historic rookie season. Now Dallas must do the same

From the moment the Dallas Wings won the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery back in November, speculation began about whether Paige Bueckers would try to force a move elsewhere. But when draft night came, the Wings took her with the No. 1 overall pick and she spoke with excitement about her future with the organization.

“I am coming in and wanting to give everything I have to that organization. We have established that there's new levels of standards that are going to be set in play, and there's a new GM, new coach, new assistant coach, a whole new team, so we're excited for that fresh start,” she said on draft night. “It's not a rebuild, it's just a build from where we are…We're excited for the future and we only think the best is ahead.”

After one season, Bueckers lived up to her end of the bargain — and then some. On Tuesday, she was named 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year after putting together one of the best introductory campaigns in league history. Bueckers totaled the third-most points and assists by a rookie in league history and finished as the only player in to rank in the top 10 in points, assists and steals this season.

She also set a WNBA rookie record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks in August en route to a line of 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Bueckers didn’t just have a good rookie season, she showed that she’s already one of the best players in the league.

But as for the Dallas Wings, they still have a lot of work to do. Even with a young superstar on the roster, the Wings finished last in the league with a 10-34 record and only secured double-digit victories in the season finale to avoid going into the offseason on a 10-game losing streak.

First-year head coach Chris Koclanes appeared to be, at best, in over his head while the talent surrounding Bueckers was severely lacking, even before injuries struck. Dallas did little to support her. She thrived as a rookie in spite of the organization, not because of it.

At UConn, Bueckers lost just 13 games in her career. The Wings needed just 17 games to match that. Half their victories came in a seven-game stretch between June 17 and July 3 while they opened the season with an 1-11 start and closed it with a 2-15 finish.

Perhaps Bueckers should’ve forced her way to another team before the draft — but that’s not in her nature. Instead, she’s consistently said all the right things throughout the difficult campaign.

All that is in the past and now, Dallas has a chance to make significant improvements this offseason with the right moves. First, the Wings need to figure out whether they believe in Koclanes and are willing to let him develop as a head coach, or if they want a more experienced option. Once that’s decided, they have to add significant talent around Bueckers.

Dallas has the top odds for the No. 1 overall pick once again, so it could land Lauren Betts, Flau’jae Johnson or even Azzi Fudd. However the lottery falls, the Wings should still be able to land a cornerstone player in the draft. But with only first and third round picks, most of their work will come in free agency.

The good news? Pretty much everyone in the league is out of contract after this season with the collective bargaining agreement up. Bueckers should be a draw and the Wings have some good young role players in Maddy Siegrist, Aziaha James, Li Yueru and Luisa Geiselsoder. Curt Miller will be tasked with adding another star (or two) to play alongside their young superstar.

Bueckers can’t do it alone. Of UConn’s six No. 1 picks, all but one have ended up winning WNBA Rookie of the Year after Bueckers took home the honor on Tuesday. The lone exception is Sue Bird, who only became the greatest point guard in women’s basketball history and was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame last week.

Yet what’s most remarkable about that group is how Bird, Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore all stuck with the franchises that drafted them and won multiple championships there. Breanna Stewart is the only one who didn’t but even she won a pair of titles with the Seattle Storm before eventually departing for the New York Liberty.

Moore won as a rookie, Bird and Stewart did so in their third seasons while Taurasi captured the crown in year four. While they were major reasons their teams went from picking first overall to league champions, the organizations still had to build around them.

Bueckers, despite a historic rookie season, couldn’t lift the Wings out of the cellar. She’s done her part. Now it’s time for Dallas to pull their weight.

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