ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings have spent the past two weeks completely reshaping the roster around reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers — and the results have been dramatic.
Arike Ogunbowale re-signed on a multi-year deal, taking less than her $1.4 million supermax qualifying offer to give the front office more flexibility to build around their backcourt pairing. Reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith joined on a three-year maximum contract, bringing her 80-block 2025 season to a Wings defense that needed exactly what she provides.
Awak Kuier returned after three dominant seasons in Europe, leading the Euroleague in blocks for Galatasaray this past season while shooting 59.3% from the field and 40.9% from three. Jessica Shepard, who led the entire WNBA in field goal percentage last season at 63.8%, signed a multi-year deal and reunites with her former Notre Dame championship teammate, Ogunbowale, in the process.
Center Li Yueru and guard Grace Berger accepted qualifying offers, retaining two rotation contributors as restricted free agents.
All of it lands around a player who averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in her rookie season — Rookie of the Year on a team that won 10 games — without a roster capable of consistently taking pressure off her. That roster no longer exists.
Bueckers captioned an Instagram story: “Smiling through it all! Can’t believe this is my life!”
Hard to argue with that. The Wings still hold the No. 1 overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft on April 14, which has not even happened yet.
Dallas opens the 2026 season on the road against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 9, at noon CT, before making their home debut at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. against the Atlanta Dream.
