The Dallas Wings have drastically altered their offseason strategy following a series of setbacks, culminating in the trade of guard DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx on August 3, 2025. This DiJonai Carrington trade impact highlights the unraveling of what initially appeared to be a promising roster overhaul driven by new general manager Curt Miller.
Early Offseason Moves Raised Hopes for Dallas
After enduring one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the Dallas Wings entered the offseason with renewed optimism. GM Curt Miller spearheaded a robust campaign to strengthen the roster, bringing in veteran talent such as Myisha Hines-Allen through free agency and acquiring Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, and NaLyssa Smith in a major four-team trade involving the Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, and Phoenix Mercury.
The excitement peaked in April when Dallas secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, selecting UConn standout Paige Bueckers. The combination of new veterans and a top rookie promised a significant turnaround for the Wings.
Injuries and Trades Trigger Dramatic Roster Changes
However, the plan quickly unraveled. In early June, Tyasha Harris suffered a season-ending knee injury, dealing a major blow to the team‘s defensive and playmaking capabilities. As losses accumulated, Dallas began to dismantle the promising group it had assembled.
On June 30, NaLyssa Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. Only weeks later, the Wings finalized a trade sending DiJonai Carrington to the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, receiving guard Diamond Miller, sharpshooter Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick in return.
“Breaking: The Dallas Wings have traded guard DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and Minnesota’s 2027 second round pick, the team announced.” —espnW (@espnW)
Dallas Forced to Rebuild After Ambitious Offseason Falls Apart
The once hopeful offseason now appears to be a cautionary tale, with only Myisha Hines-Allen remaining from the group of new acquisitions by August, who is also nearing unrestricted free agency at season’s end. As the Wings trail playoff contention by 6.5 games, further roster moves before the August 7 trade deadline seem likely.
“In March, Wings GM Curt Miller described the acquisition of the four new additions at their intro press conference as a ‘momentum-building moment.’ ‘One of the needs for this team was to fill the locker room up with winners, and we did that,’ Miller said. Just one of them left.” —Myah Taylor (@t_myah)
Curt Miller had characterized the veteran hires as a critical step to establish winning culture in the locker room. Yet, half a year later, the initiative has largely collapsed.
Despite the setbacks, the situation does not necessarily doom Dallas in the long term, as the majority of veteran players acquired this offseason will become unrestricted free agents when the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement takes effect next season. This reset provides opportunities for a full rebuild and strategic retooling during the upcoming offseason.
Trade Details Suggest Shift Toward Youth Development
The Wings seem poised to pivot toward nurturing younger talent, as reflected by their return for Carrington. In exchange for the 2024 Most Improved Player of the Year, Dallas received Karlie Samuelson, Diamond Miller, and a future draft pick. Among these, Diamond Miller stands out as a promising asset with potential to become a foundational player.
Karlie Samuelson, 30, is seen mainly as a salary cap move to absorb Carrington’s $200,000 salary. In contrast, Diamond Miller represents a younger prospect with untapped upside. Drafted second overall in 2023 out of Maryland, Miller averaged a solid 12.1 points per game in her rookie season, though her production has waned amid Minnesota’s rise to championship contender status, with just 4.1 points per game and fewer than 10 minutes per game this season.
“I do think Diamond Miller is a great acquisition for a team like Dallas. She’s shown so much promise and can be a key building block for their future.” —Natalie Esquire (@natfluential)
Now moving to a team with greater available minutes and a rebuilding roster, Miller has the chance to regain her earlier form and become integral to the Wings’ core that already includes Paige Bueckers and Maddie Siegrist.
Roster Construction and Draft Prospects Point to Future Potential
Twitter analyst Landon Thomas highlighted the roster outlook:
“Players on payroll next season: Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, Maddy Siegrist, Diamond Miller. Players reserved for next season: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Haley Jones. Curt Miller is doing great collecting assets & has a LOT of cap space to build around Bueckers.”
With a league-worst 8-21 record placing them third from the bottom, the Wings are well positioned to earn another high lottery pick in the 2026 draft. That class could feature talents such as UCLA’s Lauren Betts, UConn’s Azzi Fudd, and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, bolstering Dallas’s young core.
Implications for Current Players and Team Dynamics
Following DiJonai Carrington’s departure, offensive responsibilities for Arike Ogunbowale and rookie Paige Bueckers will increase substantially. Bueckers, a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, has already demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level. While the ongoing roster instability complicates the season, fewer veterans competing for backcourt minutes might allow her to flourish more freely.
Despite the turbulence, the Wings’ front office under Curt Miller faces a critical test ahead. This offseason’s failures to sustain momentum cannot be repeated as Dallas prepares for another significant roster overhaul in the coming year.