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 decide 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 Govt Vice President and Common 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 decide and have been nonetheless looking for their subsequent head coach. Finally, Miller employed coach Chris Koclanes.
Since then, Miller has rebuilt and reshaped the inspiration 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 seemed 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 “transient” however detailed an aligned imaginative and prescient.
On conversations with the Wings: “Yeah, truthfully, the conversations have been transient, however only for them to know that I’m coming in and wanting to present all the things… pic.twitter.com/TtxHE8GqXA
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 15, 2025
Dallas will eternally be indebted to the quantity 22.7, their proportion odds of touchdown the highest decide.
Deciding on Bueckers No.1 general was an undisputed resolution. A Nationwide Champion at UConn, Bueckers brings extra than simply abilities to the hardwood. Her management, religion, dedication, 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 submit draft.
There was some disappointment that originally unfold throughout the basketball group when Dallas was awarded the highest decide. Then there was Miller, leaping for pleasure whereas watching the WNBA lottery on tv.
Curt Miller Is Recognized For Participant Improvement
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 yr. In actual fact, he is the one coach to be moreover named Govt 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 recent 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 couple of. Just 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 concentrated 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 deliver important protection given the Wings recorded the worst defensive ranking 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 powerful, Miller signed and traded for gamers who’ve had success at numerous ranges. Most of their additions have both gained on the collegiate degree or appeared within the WNBA playoffs.
“Winners are vital to us,” mentioned Curt Miller. “Once you relay it to this draft class—I believe it resonates with all of us GMs. We worth profitable. We need 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 path of the group. As Bueckers quoted, “It is a construct from the place we’re.”
“I’m coming in and wanting to present all the things 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 recent begin. It isn’t a rebuild, it is only a construct from the place we’re.
Inside Miller’s Diligent WNBA Draft Blueprint
Crediting this yr’s mix, Miller praised the method in study a participant’s peak, wingspan, and even hand dimension. Thoughts you, Dallas did not “wing” free-agency and the offseason no pun supposed. 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 out 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 capturing, depth within the submit, and rebounding.
“There’s completely a respectable likelihood for 12 and 14 to make our opening day roster,” mentioned Curt Miller. “That was deliberately achieved by our free company. We have invested a whole lot of time on making ready to select 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 shocking the Wings chosen a 5’9′ guard, James was the very best participant accessible. Despite the fact that she could 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 couple of.6 assists in her senior yr with the Wolfpack. Backcourt depth with James might 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 together with her versatility alone. The flexibility to protect 1-5 is spectacular, and I really consider Scott can enormously add to the defensive unit of Carrington and Bueckers.
Moreover, Scott is assured in what she will deliver to the squad. Excited to hoop with DiJonai Carrington, Scott’s mindset is one that each GM desires of.
“I can not watch for coaching camp so I could 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 ideas that she can provide me, any data— I would like all of it as a result of I need to be nice. I need to encompass myself with individuals who need to be nice.”
The Dallas Wings and Miller Worth Extra Than Simply Ability 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 girls’s basketball, Miller steered “Somebody picked 20 might need an extended and extra profitable profession once we look again at it years from now than somebody which may get drafted in the course of the primary spherical.”
Hitting a grand slam within the draft, Dallas did extra than simply choose proficient gamers. The group gained in so many ways in which the expertise itself is only a fraction of the success. Above all, Miller goals to herald nice folks, which is the case in Bueckers, James, Scott, Quinerly, and Vonleh.
“At the beginning, it is at all times going to be tradition for us and coach Chris” mentioned Miller. “It may be including nice folks. I believe expertise wins over expertise any day. Chris and I’ve been a part of a whole lot of profitable groups within the WNBA, and we really consider that began at all times within the locker room.”
Not solely did I give the Dallas Wings an A+ for his or her impeccable draft selections, however their potential 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 by 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 not possible to retain all 4 draft picks, Dallas’ efficiency within the Draft was outstanding.
The Dallas Wings kick begin the 2025 WNBA season towards the Minnesota Lynx on Might 16.
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Author, Content material Creator, Managing Editor, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
