The Wings have a crucial mission ahead: proving their ability to nurture young talent. It's a challenge they've struggled with, especially since 2019, when they drafted an impressive fifteen players in the first round. Sadly, only a handful, a mere five, remained on the 2025 roster. The rest? Well, they either moved on, found new teams, or sadly, their WNBA careers came to an end.
But here's where it gets interesting. The upcoming season, which we hope arrives soon, presents a unique opportunity for the Wings to showcase their talent development skills. They aim to demonstrate that their top draft picks, despite initial setbacks, can thrive and contribute significantly to the team's future success. Take Awak Kuier, for instance. She hasn't played in the WNBA since 2023, but at just 24, she's having an exceptional season with Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring Istanbul. General Manager Curt Miller is keen on bringing her back to Dallas, and soon.
Kuier, drafted second overall in 2021, didn't initially live up to the high expectations. Her first three seasons saw her average a modest 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. However, considering her youth and inexperience at the time, these numbers aren't entirely surprising. If she returns for the next season, we can expect her to shine brighter and justify the Wings' faith in her potential.
The Wings' draft history is a mixed bag. Since relocating to Dallas, they've only progressed past the first round of the playoffs once and have missed the postseason entirely on five occasions. This has resulted in a surplus of good draft picks, but the challenge has been identifying players who can not only survive in the WNBA but also commit to the Dallas franchise.
In 2019, the Wings selected Arike Ogunbowale as the fifth overall pick. She's been a consistent presence on the team, unlike many of their other top picks. The following year, they drafted Satou Sabally, Bella Alarie, and Ty Harris in the first round. Sabally left after the 2024 season, and Alarie's retirement after just 53 games was a disappointment. Ty Harris, however, returned for a second stint with the team this past season, having been traded to the Sun in 2023.
The 2021 draft saw the Wings with three top picks: Charli Collier, Awak Kuier, and Chelsea Dungee. Unfortunately, neither Collier nor Dungee are with the team anymore. Dungee's stay was brief, lasting only 14 games, and Collier was waived in 2023. The following year, the Wings selected Veronica Burton, who, after two seasons, is now a star for the Valkyries.
The 2023 draft was a more positive experience for the Wings. At least one of their three first-round picks, Maddy Siegrist, remains on the roster and is contributing. Lou Lopez Sénéchal played a significant 27 games, but her contract is currently suspended. Abby Meyers didn't even make it past training camp. The Wings also lost their 2024 first-round picks, trading Jacy Sheldon to the Sun and failing to protect Carla Leite in the expansion draft.
So, the Wings have a lot to prove in the upcoming season. Can they turn their draft fortunes around and demonstrate their ability to develop young talent? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: it's an exciting journey we're about to embark on!
