Paige Bueckers is silently sending a message to the Dallas Wings: it's time to build a dynasty. The Unrivaled season is underway, and the Breeze BC team, featuring the dynamic trio of Paige Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, and Cameron Brink, is setting the league ablaze. Their offensive synergy is captivating fans, and the Dallas Wings need to take notes. Their future success hinges on drafting a center who can replicate this impact alongside Bueckers.
For the second year in a row, the Wings hold the coveted first overall pick. In 2025, they made the obvious choice by selecting the generational talent, Bueckers, and now the focus shifts to building a championship-caliber team around her. While UConn fans dream of reuniting Bueckers with her former teammate, Azzi Fudd, in Dallas, the front office can't afford to overlook the importance of pairing Bueckers with an effective big.
Dallas is in a unique position. It's not every day a team gets to hand the reins to a ready-made superstar like Paige Bueckers. Despite the Wings' regular-season struggles (a 10-34 record), Bueckers delivered in her rookie year, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, with an impressive 47.7% field goal percentage.
However, relying solely on one player rarely leads to championship glory – the Las Vegas Aces and A'ja Wilson are arguably the exception. Dallas must build a team that complements Bueckers' exceptional scoring and playmaking abilities. Breeze has demonstrated that the right player combination is the key.
Unfortunately for the Wings, Malonga and Brink are currently contracted to other teams. However, with promising young talents like Awa Fam and Lauren Betts available, Dallas has the opportunity to select a center with the physical attributes to elevate Bueckers' game.
Bueckers is a scoring threat from anywhere on the court, and with the perfect teammate, she can master the pick-and-roll. This play creates separation for her to shoot or opens up scoring opportunities for her teammate in the paint.
If the Dallas Wings were unaware of the impact a capable big can have alongside Paige Bueckers, Breeze has provided the perfect blueprint. With the abundance of elite center talent available in 2026, the franchise has a responsibility to create a combination that will shake up the WNBA. But here's where it gets controversial... Could the Wings risk sacrificing immediate success for a long-term strategy, potentially drafting a player who takes a year or two to develop? Or should they prioritize a more experienced player who can contribute immediately?
What do you think? Do you agree that the Wings' success hinges on finding the right center? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
