DHJ Quick Take: The Power of Continuity<\/p>\n
The Melo Endorsement: On his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Carmelo Anthony didn\u2019t mince words\u2014he views pairing Azzi Fudd with Paige Bueckers as an essential move for Dallas. He argues that their years of chemistry at UConn provide a level of backcourt continuity that \u201cproves what they can do\u201d and eases the burden on Bueckers as the franchise cornerstone.<\/p>\n
A \u201cFranchise\u201d Partnership: Anthony\u2018s logic is simple: if you already have your franchise player in Bueckers, why not bring in a second \u201cpotential franchise player\u201d who already knows her \u201cups and downs\u201d as a person? This personal connection, in Anthony\u2018s view, is the intangible factor that can accelerate a rebuild in a high-pressure market like Dallas.<\/p>\n
Curt Miller\u2019s Draft Board: General Manager Curt Miller has already acknowledged that there are \u201csix prospects that have really separated\u201d in this class. His description of \u201cone of the best shooters with one of the fastest releases\u201d perfectly aligns with Fudd\u2018s scouting report, making Melo\u2018s suggestion more than just podcast fodder\u2014it\u2019s a legitimate tactical possibility for the No. 1 pick.<\/p>\n
The Storrs Standard: Bueckers and Fudd aren\u2019t just former teammates; they are a championship-winning duo that defined an era for the Huskies. With the Wings looking to pivot from a 10-34 season, leveraging that existing synergy could be the most efficient way to maximize Bueckers\u2019 prime.<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON, Texas \u2014 NBA legend Carmelo Anthony<\/a> is offering the Dallas Wings<\/a> some unsolicited \u2014 but compelling \u2014 draft advice heading into the 2026 WNBA Draft: reunite Paige Bueckers<\/a> with her former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anthony made his case on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast<\/a>, arguing that the proven chemistry between Bueckers and Fudd from their time together in Storrs makes the selection a no-brainer for Dallas.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, I would pair Azzi Fudd with Paige Bueckers<\/a>,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cThat seems like the move, right? I would do that because it\u2019s proven. It ain\u2019t like it was just a one-and-done situation and they came in and got busy. No \u2014 it\u2019s proven over multiple years.\u201d<\/p>\n “I would pair Azzi up with Paige \u2026 it’s proven over 4 years.”<\/p>\n Melo loves the idea of the Wings picking another UConn legend with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/Eh4vsJtfw0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) April 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Anthony stressed that the familiarity Bueckers and Fudd built at UConn extends well beyond basketball.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least two or three years, whatever it was \u2014 but it\u2019s proven what we can do, what we bring, and how we play together,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cWe know how to win. We know each other. So if you can get some continuity in the backcourt like that \u2014 and I could bring a friend, somebody I went to school with, somebody familiar with me, who knows my ups and downs, knows me as a person outside of basketball \u2014 that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n A Franchise Player Bringing in Another Franchise Player<\/p>\n The 10-time NBA All-Star then zeroed in on the organizational logic from Dallas\u2019s perspective, framing the selection as an extension of what the Wings already have in Bueckers.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s already your franchise player,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cSo now your franchise player is bringing in potentially another franchise player. So yeah, because it\u2019s Dallas, I\u2019d probably take Azzi.\u201d<\/p>\n Fudd, a shooting guard out of UConn, is projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft after spending four seasons alongside Bueckers in Storrs. The duo won a national championship together and developed into one of the most celebrated backcourt pairings in college basketball history.<\/p>\n What It Means for the Dallas Wings<\/p>\n The Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft after finishing with the league\u2019s worst record at 10-34 in 2025. Dallas selected Bueckers with the top pick last spring, and the franchise is now working on building around her for the long term.<\/p>\n After the Wings won the WNBA Draft Lottery, general manager Curt Miller told Dallas Hoops Journal<\/a> that there were \u201csix prospects that have really separated\u201d and shared some insight. Fudd was certainly the player described as being \u201cone of the best shooters with one of the fastest releases.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt covers the gamut,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have a great passer and leader at point guard. One of the best shooters with one of the fastest releases. A transition player who thrives in the full court. A big-time scorer who\u2019s led the nation. Two post players projected in the top six. An international young phenom who is still 19. Lauren Betts<\/a> with her size at UCLA.\u201d<\/p>\n Anthony\u2019s endorsement adds a high-profile voice to what has become a growing conversation around the Wings\u2019 draft strategy \u2014 and whether leveraging Bueckers\u2019 existing relationships could accelerate the franchise\u2019s rebuild.<\/p>\n Up Next<\/p>\n The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April. The Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick.<\/p>\n