Paige Bueckers brought immediate hope to Dallas when the Wings drafted her in 2025. While her rookie campaign hasn’t catapulted the franchise to championship contention, Bueckers has given fans something they haven’t had in years: genuine optimism about the future. The question now becomes whether Dallas can surround their young star with the talent she needs to flourish.
Bueckers has averaged 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 27 games in her rookie season, doing everything possible to lead a rebuilding team through inevitable growing pains.
Head coach Chris Koclanes remains confident in his developmental approach, with eyes already turning toward future draft picks that could complement Bueckers’ skill set.
Can the Dallas Wings Get Paige Bueckers the Help She Needs?
With the 2025 WNBA season winding down, attention naturally shifts to the 2026 Draft and its potential impact on struggling franchises. The Wings currently sit 11th with a 9-26 record, positioning them for another high draft pick in 2026.
In PFSN’s 2026 WNBA Mock Draft, Jacob Infante identified what could be the perfect complement to Bueckers: TCU’s Olivia Miles. The former Notre Dame standout posted impressive numbers in her final season with the Fighting Irish, averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field.
Over her four-year Notre Dame career, Miles compiled averages of 14.2 points, six rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals. However, the real intrigue lies in what she could bring to Dallas alongside Bueckers in the backcourt.
“Had she stayed in the 2025 draft, Olivia Miles likely would’ve been one of the first players selected,” Infante wrote. “She still gets picked very early in this 2026 WNBA Mock Draft, landing with the Dallas Wings and forming a potentially dangerous backcourt duo with Paige Bueckers.”
The offensive versatility Miles would provide caught Infante’s attention. “A strong argument could be made that Miles is the most offensively gifted player in the 2026 draft class,” he added.
“Last year for Notre Dame, she shot 40.6% from deep, showing off her ability to shoot from all levels of the court. She’s a tremendous passer with proper accuracy and court vision, and her quickness to the rim makes her tough to defend.”
Why Did Olivia Miles Choose One More College Season?
Miles surprised the basketball world earlier this year by transferring to TCU rather than entering the WNBA Draft, where many projected her as an early selection. The decision raised eyebrows, given her proven track record and professional readiness.
In a conversation with The Associated Press, Miles explained her thought process behind the unexpected choice.
“I think it was a mixture of me listening to my body and what I needed and also just another year to develop, you know be in a system where it’ll favor me and I’ll have great teammates and a great coach around me,” Miles said. “I’ll have a lot of fun so I’m just very excited for that.”
BREAKING: OLIVIA MILES HAS TRANSFERRED TO TCU. 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/sO7C27aRc5
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) April 8, 2025
Miles admitted the decision involved considerable back-and-forth deliberation, ultimately believing she had more to accomplish at the collegiate level before making the professional jump. She waited until the deadline to finalize her choice, weighing all options carefully.
That additional college season could prove beneficial for both Miles and her future professional prospects. For Dallas, the potential pairing of Miles and Bueckers represents the kind of foundational backcourt that could transform the franchise’s trajectory in the coming years.