The 2024 season saw Dallas not even sniffing the playoffs. Fans might want to erase that memory entirely, but they might remember just how brutal things were from the jump. Injuries hit hard and early, totally derailing what was supposed to be a repeat of the success they found a season ago. But you know, that 9–31 record did give them one thing to smile about: the No. 1 pick. Enter Paige Bueckers. The hope. The next face of the franchise. And yet… according to one analyst, it might be another year of the same old heartbreak.
So let’s rewind real quick. The Wings lost Satou Sabally, Maddy Siegrist, and Natasha Howard to injury early on. But when Sabally made her return post-Olympics, things started to click. Dallas went on a fun little three-game winning streak. And then, they hit a wall.
With a 2.5 game deficit and a golden chance to chase the 8th seed, they lost four straight—each one to direct playoff competitors. That stretch was all but sealed their fate. No playoffs for the first time since the COVID year. Fast forward to now. Sabally and Howard are gone, but in comes a shiny new backcourt: Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. Sounds exciting, right? But hold on…Rachel DeMita has thoughts. She broke down some early footage from training camp. And well… she wasn’t exactly hyped.
In her words, “I haven’t been able to find anything great with Paige Bueckers.” She saw some set shooting, a few highlights here and there, but nothing wild. According to DeMita, it looks like Paige might be running point, and while everyone’s dreaming of a dynamic duo like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, she’s just not convinced.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
She added, “Arike is somebody who likes to have the ball in her hands she is a high volume shooter and scorer for the Dallas Wings. How Paige fits into that mix we will just have to see.” And just like that, she shut the door on Dallas making the playoffs this year. Too many moving parts. A brand new coaching staff. “I’m not sure that they’ll be able to get it together for the playoffs,” the analyst declared on her YouTube channel.
So…point guard has been a total revolving door for the Wings ever since they traded Marina Mabrey. First-rounders like Veronica Burton and Jacy Sheldon came and went. Then there were experiments with Crystal Dangerfield and Sevgi Uzun. However, Paige could actually bring long-term stability. Plus, she shot 42% from deep in college. She can play off the ball, and that’s chef’s kiss next to Arike’s creative chaos.
Still, DeMita has a point.
The Wings have lost a lot of pieces. Along with central pieces like Sabally and Howard, a new GM in Curt Miller and a new head coach in Chris Koclanes. And if we have to hornets, contention doesn’t just magically appear. Remember last season? Caitlin Clark and the Fever bowed out early. Angel Reese and the Sky couldn’t even crack the playoffs. So, what are the Wings really working with here? A rebuilding roster, a new system, and a boatload of pressure.
Bueckers might be the most important name on the roster, but Arike is still the best player. So now comes the real challenge: blending their games. On paper, it’s fire. In reality, you’ve got to manage egos, build chemistry, and find rhythm. And not to forget, Paige is coming off a whole NCAA season, championship game and all. No rest for her. That wear could show up. Still, she’s got that X-factor. If the Wings can figure out this whole pairing, not only will the year be a win development-wise, but they might also rack up actual wins.
If not, another nightmare could be waiting…..
That said, not all hope is lost. In one clip, as Paige drills a turnaround jumper in training, you can literally hear Arike say, “That’s tough!” So maybe there’s a spark there after all. Bottom line: the sooner Bueckers and Ogunbowale click, the better. With NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington also in the mix, the Wings’ offense could actually do good this season.
But until then, Bueckers will keep grinding in the gym, working out, and maybe even faceplanting along the way.
Paige Bueckers’ training camp crash has fans laughing and loving herr more
Now, if you thought Paige Bueckers was all business, she is still her nonchalant, goofy self. Throughout her collegiate career, we have seen her fun moments and it still continues. In a hilarious moment caught on video, Paige went from sniper to slip-n-slide. She shot the ball, missed—and hit the floor. Like, fully crashed as she planted her face on the floor. It was during a team shooting competition, and let’s just say she took it way too seriously.
But that’s the charm of the former UConn star. She’s already beloved not just for her game, but her goofy side too. She’s giving fans all the content. On April 30, she posted official Wings training camp pics on Instagram with the caption, “Howdy.” She has officially arrived in the Big D. Currently, other than training, she’s also adjusting to life in Dallas. Her moving truck from Connecticut just arrived, and she’s still unpacking.
“I love where I live. I love being here with the team,” she said. “It’s been a great first week.” She is a little nervous but mostly just excited. Head coach Koclanes has already seen what she brings. “It’s just extremely impressive,” he said. “She makes the game look easy.”
Now, WIngs’ first preseason game is this Friday, and it’s happening at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion—Arike’s old stomping grounds. So, get ready because whether Wings make to the playoffs or not, their seasons is definitely not going to be boring.
The post Paige Bueckers & Dallas Wings Preseason Footage Leads To Bleak Prediction Despite Redeeming Arike Ogunbowale Moment appeared first on EssentiallySports.
