It’s merely a formality to say Paige Bueckers is projected as the first pick at the moment. It is almost clear that she’s locked in for that top spot. A dream she probably whispered into the universe back in high school—winning a natty in her senior year and then stepping into the W as no. 1—seems to be unfolding in real time. But as dreamy as this whole thing sounds, there’s been one major buzzkill. Her landing spot: Dallas Wings. And if the streets are to be believed, Paige herself might not be too thrilled about it either.

In yet another moment that kinda adds fuel to that already-blazing rumor fire, Bueckers recently sat down with TODAY and she sort of…elegantly danced around the Dallas talk. When asked point blank, “Most people believe you will be the first pick in the WNBA Draft coming up in a few days here. Perhaps going to play in Dallas. How does that sound to you?” 

Paige didn’t flinch, with a smile she said, “I’m just excited for the next step in the journey, wherever that is, whatever that looks like. Just to be able to play in the WNBA—it’s a dream come true.” She even brough another franchised, expressing, “I was just a little girl aspiring to be in the league. The Minnesota Lynx dynasty was everything for me, so to grow up watching the rest of that dynasty and to be able to share that experience and be a part of that is just—it’s surreal to say.”

She pivoted straight to childhood dreams and Minnesota Lynx nostalgia, skipping right past the Wings name. Now, to be fair, she’s never publicly trashed the Wings or said she wouldn’t play there. She’s kept things clean and respectful and has always said, she is happy to play ‘wherever’ she lands. But the rumor mill’s been grinding for months now with whispers that Huskies stars may not exactly be thrilled about ending up in Dallas.

And it doesn’t help that the Wings haven’t exactly been contatcing her or her coach. Her head coach Geno Auriemma confirmed to Front Office Sports that he hasn’t heard a peep from Dallas. “No, I have not. Some GMs over the years will contact me to talk about players. Coaches will too. They’ll come to practice, come to games. I’ve built relationships with a bunch of them. And some? I couldn’t pick them out of a lineup and they’ll draft my players without even asking me anything. So I know that kid won’t be there long. So, I don’t worry about it.”

Look, this doesn’t mean that the 23-year-old is definitely gonna skip town or anything. But in this new WNBA era—where players are slowly starting to flex that NBA-style power—it wouldn’t be wild to see her try. Especially considering the Wings’ track record. Since the team packed up and left Tulsa to become the Dallas Wings nine seasons ago, they’ve only had one winning season.And, they made the second round of the playoffs in 2023, but that was short-lived. This past season, they just had nine wins. They even fired head coach Latricia Trammell.

And if that wasn’t enough, they’ve practically had a revolving door of talent. Liz Cambage, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey, and Satou Sabally- all gone. That’s a lot of top-tier players who didn’t stick around. So maybe it’s not so crazy to think Paige Buekcers might have her doubts.

Still, Wings GM Curt Miller isn’t sweating it—at least not publicly. “We have not heard anything directly that any person eligible for this draft would not want to play in Dallas. In fact, Arike hears from most of the top possible draft picks in this class, and they’re all really, really excited about possibly pairing with Arike,” he said. And CEO Greg Bibb added his two cents too, saying the players in Dallas are excited and “understand what we’re building.”

But you know what? Despite all the noise, Paige still looks like a lock to land in Dallas. Sources say teams did try to trade for that top pick after the lottery back in November, but recently it’s been crickets. Which probably means no one thinks they have the leverage to steal her away from the Wings. If she does sign with them, it would mark the start of a whole new chapter for Dallas. 

So while Paige might be skipping over Dallas talk now, if the pick goes through, the Wings might finally have a cornerstone they can build around. And whether or not she’s stoked about Dallas, the Wings are definitely stoked about Paige.

Dallas Wings stars throwing not-so-subtle hints for a Paige Bueckers takeover

We already know know who’s been holding it down in Dallas all this time- Arike Ogunbowale. Since 2019, she’s been the Wings’ anchor—ride or die. And lately, she’s been doing everything but flat-out yelling “draft Paige!” 

After the NCAA title game, she posted, “I woke up feeling like a traitor cause I was really clapping when a certain team scored… anyway, go Wings lol. Can’t wait for the draft. Wings y’all know what to do.” Even last month when Paige announced she was entering the draft, Arike was quick to joke, “i thought the plan was to travel the world & make tik toks?!”

And she’s not the only one campaigning. DiJonai Carrington, the new Wings guard who came in the Sabally trade—left a “congratssss tea**ate” comment under Paige’s championship post. That’s a welcome wagon if we’ve ever seen one.  NaLyssa Smith, also fresh to the roster, called the moment “LEGENDARY!” And Lou Lopez Sénéchal, who’s already suited up for both UConn and the Wings worte on Buekcers’ post, “So proud.” These players aren’t hiding it, they want Bueckers heading to D-Town.

Coach Miller’s already made bold moves, flipping Sabally into a haul that included Carrington, Smith, and a 2025 first-rounder. Now he’s staring down the No. 1 pick. Wings could be the team to cash in on all that Buekcers hype, which will surely be following her from college to pros.

But in the long term, 2026 is around the corner, and a lot of vets will be free agents. So this draft isn’t just about Paige. It’s about proving the Wings are building something real. A powerful backcourt of Arike and Paige. So at this point, things are crystal clear… yet not. And only April 14 can answer the thousand questions looming in everyone’s mind.