The Curt Miller impact and Paige Bueckers period are in full swing in Dallas!
The Dallas Wings did not simply pull off the No.1 general draft choose with Paige Bueckers. Simply winners of the 2025 WNBA Draft, Dallas did not simply dominate—they owned it. It began with Bueckers and ended with Aziaha James, Madison Scott, JJ Quinerly, and Aaronette Vonleh.
5 months in the past, the Dallas Wings employed Curt Miller as their latest Government Vice President and Normal Supervisor. The transfer got here simply two months after the Wings parted methods with former head coach Latricia Trammell. The Wings had simply secured the No.1 General choose and have been nonetheless trying to find their subsequent head coach. Finally, Miller employed coach Chris Koclanes.
Since then, Miller has rebuilt and reshaped the muse of the franchise. Because the group was relocated to Dallas in 2016, the Wings have solely had one lone profitable season. With 4 head coaches on the helm — Fred Williams, Brian Agler, Vickie Johnson, and Latricia Trammel, The Wings posted a 123-193 document over their tenures.
Simply eight months in the past, the Wings completed with the second-worst 9-31 document within the WNBA. Though, the toll of accidents wreaked havoc on the group. Having made three straight playoff appearances, the long run regarded bleak for Wings followers. That was till Miller got here together with a blueprint and a sprinkle of luck on the aspect.
The Paige Bueckers Period Is Right here
Paige Bueckers talked about that pre-draft conversations with the Dallas Wings have been “temporary” however detailed an aligned imaginative and prescient.
On conversations with the Wings: “Yeah, truthfully, the conversations have been temporary, however only for them to know that I’m coming in and wanting to present every thing… pic.twitter.com/TtxHE8GqXA
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 15, 2025
Dallas will without end be indebted to the quantity 22.7, their share odds of touchdown the highest choose.
Choosing Bueckers No.1 general was an undisputed choice. A Nationwide Champion at UConn, Bueckers brings extra than simply abilities to the hardwood. Her management, religion, willpower, and charisma is pleasant for any franchise. Followers, relaxation assured, there was by no means a doubt about drafting the Minnesota native.
“Very early on, it was Paige and Paige solely,” mentioned Miller publish draft.
There was some disappointment that originally unfold throughout the basketball group when Dallas was awarded the highest choose. Then there was Miller, leaping for pleasure whereas watching the WNBA lottery on tv.
Curt Miller Is Recognized For Participant Growth
2024 WNBA Champion x Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones
@jus242 | @nyliberty | #WNBAChamps pic.twitter.com/9i54UhllER
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 21, 2024
Thought-about one of the crucial embellished coaches in WNBA historical past, Curt Miller and Paige Bueckers are a match made in heaven. Former head coach of the Connecticut Solar and Los Angeles Sparks, Miller is a two-time WNBA coach of the 12 months. Actually, he is the one coach to be moreover named Government of the 12 months in the identical season.
Though unable to safe a championship, Miller led the Solar to a number of WNBA Finals appearances, together with six consecutive playoff outings. Axed after two lone seasons with the Sparks, Curt Miller obtained a contemporary begin to rejuvenate a floundering group.
Moreover, Miller is thought for drafting and growing a number of famend gamers, together with Jonquel Jones, DiJonai Carrington, Bridget Carleton, and Tyasha Harris, simply to call a number of. Lately named Most Improved Participant of the 12 months, Carrington has one finals look. Jonquel Jones has cemented herself as a WNBA MVP, WNBA Champion, and WNBA Finals MVP. Earlier than traded to the New York Liberty, Jones spent the primary six years of her profession with coach Miller and the Solar.
The Wings Emphasize Profitable And Tradition
Reunited with Carrington, Miller is targeted on participant improvement, tradition, and bringing in profitable gamers.
The Wings add a prolific scorer in Bueckers, who’s a rare passer, and shot creator. Subsequent to Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas will boast one of the crucial elite backcourts. Each Bueckers and Carrington convey important protection given the Wings recorded the worst defensive score within the WNBA.
Previous to drafting Bueckers, Miller and the Wings meticulously drew out their free company plans. Though dropping stars Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard in free company was robust, Miller signed and traded for gamers who’ve had success at numerous ranges. Most of their additions have both received on the collegiate stage or appeared within the WNBA playoffs.
“Winners are necessary to us,” mentioned Curt Miller. “While you relay it to this draft class—I feel it resonates with all of us GMs. We worth profitable. We wish to add profitable and competitiveness to all our locker rooms.”
There wasn’t any doubt Bueckers would not go to Dallas. Miller has reassured Bueckers the group has set a brand new customary, which instills confidence and belief within the course of the group. As Bueckers quoted, “It is a construct from the place we’re.”
“I’m coming in and wanting to present every thing I’ve to this group,” Paige Bueckers mentioned on draft evening. “We have established there’s new ranges of requirements which might be going to be set in play. New GM, New coach. We’re excited for a brand new contemporary begin. It is not a rebuild, it is only a construct from the place we’re.
Inside Miller’s Diligent WNBA Draft Blueprint
Crediting this 12 months’s mix, Miller praised the method in look at a participant’s peak, wingspan, and even hand dimension. Thoughts you, Dallas did not “wing” free-agency and the offseason no pun meant. No roster spot is assured within the WNBA, and Miller made it clear constructed constructed their roster with the intention of each late picks incomes spots within the opening day lineup.
Each transfer was intentional, which opened up the door to pick UConn’s Paige Bueckers No.1 general, NC State’s Aziaha James at no. 12, and Ole Miss’s Madison Scott at No.14. As well as, the Wings quietly added West Virginia guard JJ Quinertly at No. 27 general, and Baylor heart Aaronette Vonleh No. 31 general. Upon taking the job, Miller emphasised pre-draft the Wings intention to solidify protection, 3-point taking pictures, depth within the publish, and rebounding.
“There’s completely a reputable likelihood for 12 and 14 to make our opening day roster,” mentioned Curt Miller. “That was deliberately finished via our free company. We have invested plenty of time on getting ready to choose 12 and 14, and we’re enthusiastic about it.”
Drafting Bueckers was a possibility of a lifetime, however moreover including James and Scott? I am undecided which group handed over James, however Dallas knocked it out of the park. Though a bit stunning the Wings chosen a 5’9′ guard, James was the most effective participant out there. Though she might not obtain ample minutes, James is a flexible guard that hasn’t reached the peak of her ceiling.
The Dallas Wings Aced WNBA Draft Night time
Let’s go Zaza! https://t.co/RSFT2aiJTY pic.twitter.com/RQFOlfX2fT
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 15, 2025
Taking part in on a guard heavy roster below NC State head coach Wes Moore, that is no shock to James. Although undersized, James averaged 17.9 factors, 4.6 rebounds, and a pair of.6 assists in her senior 12 months with the Wolfpack. Backcourt depth with James could possibly be the x-factor when contending for a championship.
“Simply being that canine, discovering any keys that Dallas wants, mentioned James on her roll with the Dallas Wings. “Pushing myself. Pushing my teammates. Being that energetic rookie. Motivating my vets, being that sponge.”
So as to add to the pack, 6’2′ guard Madison Scott had a outstanding five-year collegiate profession at Ole Miss. Named All-SEC second group, Scott averaged 11.8 factors, 3.7 rebounds, and three.7 assists in her senior season. Excellent on the defensive finish, this can be a participant that may make an influence along with her versatility alone. The flexibility to protect 1-5 is spectacular, and I actually imagine Scott can significantly add to the defensive unit of Carrington and Bueckers.
Moreover, Scott is assured in what she will convey to the squad. Excited to hoop with DiJonai Carrington, Scott’s mindset is one that each GM desires of.
“I can’t anticipate coaching camp so I might be up below her [Carrington], be a sponge, and simply be taught all there’s to be taught,” mentioned Madison Scott. “I am versatile. I will be switching and I will be guarding these guards that DiJonai [Carrington] guards. Any suggestions that she may give me, any data— I need all of it as a result of I wish to be nice. I wish to encompass myself with individuals who wish to be nice.”
The Dallas Wings and Miller Worth Extra Than Simply Talent on the Courtroom
Talking of depth, Miller acknowledges a draft quantity is not the top all be all. Given the quantity of rising expertise and recognition of ladies’s basketball, Miller advised “Somebody picked 20 may need an extended and extra profitable profession once we look again at it years from now than somebody that may get drafted in the midst of the primary spherical.”
Hitting a grand slam within the draft, Dallas did extra than simply choose gifted gamers. The group received in so many ways in which the expertise itself is only a fraction of the success. Above all, Miller goals to usher in nice folks, which is the case in Bueckers, James, Scott, Quinerly, and Vonleh.
“Initially, it is all the time going to be tradition for us and coach Chris” mentioned Miller. “It will be including nice folks. I feel expertise wins over expertise any day. Chris and I’ve been a part of plenty of profitable groups within the WNBA, and we really imagine that began all the time within the locker room.”
Not solely did I give the Dallas Wings an A+ for his or her impeccable draft decisions, however their means to shift the panorama in such a short while is spectacular. All of the credit score goes to the Dallas Wings entrance workplace, which begins with Curt Miller and Chris Koclanes, and ends with Bueckers, James, Scott, Quinerly, Vonleh, and a brand new revamped roster via the off season.
Curt Miller brings the eagerness, knowledge, and confidence that is wanted to be a profitable GM of a championship aspiring group. Though it is unattainable to retain all 4 draft picks, Dallas’ efficiency within the Draft was outstanding.
The Dallas Wings kick begin the 2025 WNBA season in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx on Could 16.
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Author, Content material Creator, Managing Editor, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides within the Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
