Dallas Wings clean house in free agency frenzy

In the trade completed on Sunday, the Wings acquired DiJonai Carrington and Tyasha Harris from Connecticut, NaLyssa Smith from the Indiana Fever, and the rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and three draft picks from Phoenix.

Dallas lost star forward Satou Sabally, 6’7 Kalani Brown and guard Sevgi Uzun to the Phoenix Mercury. Brown was a sufficient backup for center Teaira McCowan as they were comparable in size, but there was a drop in scoring ability when she was on the floor.

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The Wings drafted Jacy Sheldon fifth overall last season, but she was traded to the Sun along with the No. 8 pick they received from Indiana before the deal was finalized. Indiana received guard Jaelyn Brown, who did not see much action with the Wings due to a nose injury. When all was said and done, Dallas had basically gutted their bench.

Losing Sabally in free agency was expected, as she announced she would no longer be playing for the Dallas Wings during media day for Unrivaled on Jan. 9. The 6’4 forward has been riddled with injury throughout her time with the Wings and only played one full season with the franchise — in 2023, when she earned the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. She averaged 18.6 points and just over eight rebounds per game that year.

Sabally and Arike Ogunbowale showcased the damage that could be done when both of them were available to play together, leading the team to the semi-finals in 2023. Without Sabally for the majority of last season, the Wings ended the year 11th in the standings. The former Oregon Ducks standout has averaged just over 15 points and seven rebounds in her career.

Wings executive vice president and general manager Curt Miller said he is excited about the players Dallas received in the four-team trade.

“All four of these players understand the culture it takes to win at the highest level, with three of them winning National Championships during their collegiate careers,” he said via the team’s press release on Feb. 2.

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Familiar faces return to North Texas

Harris is no stranger to the Wings, having been drafted by Dallas at No. 7 overall in 2020. The 5’10 guard had the opportunity to grow with the Connecticut Sun as she averaged career highs during her two seasons with the team. The former South Carolina Gamecock returns to Dallas with more experience and could possibly fill the gap Dallas has had at the point guard position.

The Wings have not been able to find consistency at the point guard position since the departure of Skylar Diggins-Smith in 2019. The closest they have gotten was with Moriah Jefferson from 2020-2022, however, she was hindered by injuries during that time.

Marina Mabrey, who they traded for in 2021, appeared to form a strong one-two punch with Ogunbowale, becoming the second leading scorer on the team during her two seasons in Dallas. However, the team parted ways with Mabrey via trade before the 2023 season.

Prior to the changes made in the front office and coaching staff this season, Dallas tried to fill their point guard gap through the Draft. But Harris was underutilized during her time in Dallas. It was the same with guard Dana Evans, who was traded after one season with the team in 2021. They tried again with Veronica Burton who could not quite find her footing after two seasons with the team. Burton was brought on as a defensive player that could distribute the ball, but was second to last in field goal percentage during her time in Dallas.

Now, Miller says Harris is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. “Her versatility to play on and off the ball gives us the flexibility to play multiple combinations on the floor,” he said.

Along with Harris, the Wings also picked up the Carrington, a second-round draft pick who has continued to grow her game since joining the league in 2021. She had a career year in 2024, averaging 12.7 points and 5 rebounds per game and earning the Most Improved Player award. Carrington is a combo guard that will bring more playoff experience to Dallas. She also has experience playing with NaLyssa Smith, as the two played together at Baylor during the 2020-2021 season.

Meanwhile, the 6’4 Smith won a NCAA championship with the Baylor Bears in the 2018-2019 season, and was one of the most decorated players in the history of the program. In turn, Smith was drafted No. 2 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2022, and averaged 13 points and eight rebounds during her first three seasons in the WNBA. While the Wings may have lost some size with Brown heading to Phoenix, Smith can be just as dominant in the post. She has the potential to be an even better scorer that can spread the paint.

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Dallas remained active after the major trade, signing Myisha Hines-Allen to a one-year deal. Hines-Allen was a WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics in 2019. Last season, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx and was a reliable reserve for the team throughout the WNBA finals.

“We are excited to welcome Myisha to Dallas,” Miller said via press release. “She was a free agent priority and a player targeted by us for her versatility, toughness and veteran experience. Myisha has shown the ability to be a facilitating post player and can help spread the floor with her perimeter shooting.”

The new look Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings have been refreshed with a new front office, head coach and now a new group of players. This gives the team a chance to become title contenders again.

While Dallas lost Sabally to Phoenix and some championship experience with Natasha Howard returning to Indiana, the organization has made moves to put together a more well-rounded team.

They can still play inside out with McCowan, who will now be surrounded by players that can stretch the floor and allow her dominate in the paint. Ogunbowale will not have to carry this team, but it will be a matter of trusting her new teammates and sharing the ball.

Between securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft and the moves they have so far made in free agency, the Wings should also have a deeper bench. But given their new roster makeup, how the Wings play this season will be entirely new.