The Dallas Wings are at a crossroads, and the upcoming season could be their most pivotal yet. For years, they’ve struggled to turn their high draft picks into long-term success, leaving fans and critics alike questioning their ability to build a championship-caliber team. But here’s where it gets intriguing: the next season might just be their chance to rewrite the narrative.
Since 2019, the Wings have drafted an impressive 15 players in the first round. Yet, only five remain on their 2025 roster. The rest? They’ve either moved on, been waived, or fallen out of the league entirely. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges the franchise has faced in nurturing young talent. But this is the part most people miss: among those seemingly forgotten picks is Awak Kuier, the second overall selection in 2021, who hasn’t played in the WNBA since 2023. At just 24 years old, Kuier is dominating overseas with Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring Istanbul, sparking hope that she could be the Wings’ redemption story.
Kuier’s early WNBA career was underwhelming, averaging just 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds over 86 games. However, she was only 19 when she debuted, and her potential was always evident. General Manager Curt Miller appears eager to bring her back to Dallas, betting that a more mature and experienced Kuier could finally justify her high draft position. If she returns and thrives, it would be a massive win for the Wings, proving they can develop talent despite their past missteps.
And those missteps have been plentiful. Since relocating to Dallas, the franchise has advanced past the first round of the playoffs just once and missed the postseason entirely five times. Their draft history is a rollercoaster of missed opportunities. Take 2019, for example, when they selected Arike Ogunbowale fifth overall—one of the few top picks still with the team. In contrast, 2020’s first-round picks—Satou Sabally, Bella Alarie, and Ty Harris—either forced their way out, retired early, or were traded away.
The 2021 draft was even more brutal. With the first, second, and fifth picks, the Wings selected Charli Collier, Awak Kuier, and Chelsea Dungee. Today, Collier and Dungee are out of the league, while Kuier’s future in Dallas hangs in the balance. The following year, they drafted Veronica Burton, only to waive her after two seasons. She’s now a star for the Valkyries, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
But here’s the controversial question: Is the problem the players, or is it the system? The Wings’ 2023 draft offered a glimmer of hope, with Maddy Siegrist still contributing as the third overall pick. Yet, Lou Lopez Sénéchal’s contract is suspended, and Abby Meyers didn’t even make it past training camp. Add to that the loss of their 2024 first-round picks, and it’s clear the franchise is at a turning point.
The next season isn’t just about winning games—it’s about proving the Wings can be a place where young talent flourishes. If Awak Kuier returns and succeeds, it could signal a new era for the franchise. But if history repeats itself, the questions will only grow louder. What do you think? Can the Wings turn it around, or is their draft strategy fundamentally flawed? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
