The Dallas Wings deserve plenty of credit score for how they’ve bolstered their roster in free agency.
The largest transfer that Dallas has made is bringing again famous person guard Arike Ogunbowale to pair with Paige Bueckers. These two are the beginning backcourt for Dallas final yr, and whereas Arike had a down season in 2025 relative to what she has executed previously, she would seem poised for a bounce-back 2026 marketing campaign if she will be able to convey her capturing proportion again to its profession common.
Dallas has additionally signed two former Minnesota Lynx forwards, Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard. Smith signed a three-year max deal, whereas Shepard signed for two years at about $1 million per yr. The Wings additionally introduced again Li Yueru, Awak Kuier, and Maddy Siegrist (who had her fourth-year rookie contract possibility exercised).
All of those strikes arguably make Dallas a playoff contender. But additionally they have the primary choose within the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Azzi Fudd Seems Like Wings’ Most Likely WNBA Draft Pick
There are 4 lifelike choices for Dallas with their high choose: Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles.
While Miles is compelling, Bueckers is sufficient of a pure playmaker for the Wings to not be an excellent match. Betts can be an attention-grabbing possibility, however the addition of Shepard and Smith makes it appear unlikely that the Wings can have to spend money on one other long-term frontcourt piece (particularly contemplating how a lot these two are getting paid).
That leaves Azzi Fudd and Awa Fam. The key right here is knowing the place Fam is in her profession. While she has an especially excessive ceiling, she is not polished and sure wants extra time to develop earlier than approaching that ceiling.
The Wings’ aggressive free company makes it clear they need to contend in 2026. And Azzi Fudd is about as WNBA-ready a prospect as there’s.
Despite Fudd’s NCAA Tournament struggles, she’s an elite three-point shooter and an above-average defender. Both of these traits ought to straight translate to any roster, particularly a Wings staff that might use extra firepower when Arike’s shot is not falling.
Not to point out the prospect of Azzi’s relationship with Paige and their success at UConn collectively, which may’t be discounted.
Regardless of what her function could be, Fudd would make the Wings higher in 2026. She’ll additionally turn out to be one of many WNBA’s hottest gamers as soon as she’s drafted, and her and Paige being reunited will make for must-see TV for girls’s basketball followers.
That in and of itself ought to make the Wings’ choose a no brainer.
