From the moment Paige Bueckers’ name popped up in the WNBA Draft conversation, it was almost impossible to ignore the comparisons. Big-time expectations. Big-time spotlight. And yes—big-time comparisons to none other than Caitlin Clark. But while the hype kept rising, one thing became impossible to miss: Dallas isn’t just getting a star. It’s adding Paige Bueckers to a team that’s already stacked with offensive firepower. Arike Ogunbowale. DiJonai Carrington. And now Paige. That’s a whole lot of talent sharing one basketball.

The pressure? Oh, it’s real. And Arike isn’t shying away from throwing the first punch—verbally, of course. “I’m excited for the young guns, you know, the young kids,” Arike said, with a sly grin. “Show them a little bit of something, something that I got. See who can guard me. Whoever can guard me, y’all in the squad, for real. Because that’s a tough task, you feel me?” That’s not shade. That’s a direct challenge. A veteran is laying down the gauntlet for her new rookie teammate.

Now comes the real question: How does Paige fit into this squad? National analyst Rachel DeMita didn’t sugarcoat anything in her recent WNBA Draft breakdown on YouTube. Her projected Dallas starting five? Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Teaira McCowan. A moment of silence for how loaded that lineup looks.

But Rachael also flagged a potential roadblock: usage. “Paige needs the ball in her hands,” she explained. “She’s explosive, she’s creative, she sets the pace. If Dallas doesn’t find a way to get her touches, we might see her fade out of games—not because of talent, but because of system.”

And that’s the real danger. You don’t draft Paige Bueckers to be passive. This is the same Paige who dropped 40 points against Oklahoma like it was just another Tuesday. You give her room, and she’ll light up the court. But if she’s asked to play off-ball too often in a backcourt that already revolves around Arike? That’s where the tension brews. Rachael even offered what she called a cheat code: draw plays for Paige, let her drive, let her create, give her those good looks. Sounds simple enough, but balancing that with Arike’s ball-dominant style is going to be tricky.

That’s where ESPN analysts Gary and Elle stepped in. Gary brought it back to the big picture, drawing parallels to the Caitlin Clark–Indiana Fever situation. “It’s not outlandish to say they could be in contention—very much like the Fever were in Caitlin Clark’s first year,” Gary noted. High praise, but not without a reality check. Elle agreed, but she brought the temperature down just a bit.

They’re definitely going to be in playoff contention, she said, but not quite title contenders just yet. And then came the one word that always shifts the mood: “But…”

“People say Arike has a lot of Russell Westbrook in her—super ball dominant. So how’s that going to work with Paige Bueckers?” That’s the question everyone’s asking. Arike Ogunbowale has long been the heart of Dallas’ offense. Last season, she accounted for close to 70% of the Wings’ offensive creation, whether it was by scoring herself or setting up teammates. That kind of workload is massive. She wasn’t just the go-to option—she was the system.

She played all 38 games last year and still managed to put up 22.2 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. The WNBA Veteran led the team in touches, took the toughest shots, and constantly had defenses collapsing on her. At 28, she’s hitting her peak. But no matter how good you are, carrying that kind of offensive weight eventually wears down even the best.

Now with Paige entering the picture, that dynamic could finally shift. “It’s going to take a huge load off her shoulders,” Elle said. “She does not have to be the sole person to create offense for the Wings anymore. Paige is going to do that. She’s a great facilitator. She’s a great defender.”

This isn’t just about reducing Arike’s minutes or touches—it’s about unlocking new levels in her game. With Paige handling more of the playmaking, Arike can move off the ball, focus on attacking in rhythm, and spend more energy on defense or late-game shot-making, instead of doing everything from the jump.

And Paige? She brings exactly what the Wings have been missing. She can score at will, sure. But her natural feel for the game, her court vision, and her willingness to create for others make her a perfect backcourt complement to someone like Arike. Still, as Elle pointed out, even with all this potential, it’s too early to stamp Dallas as title favorites. They’ve got the pieces—but pieces still have to fit.

Arike Ogunbowale welcomes Paige Bueckers to Dallas With Open Arms

From the moment Paige Bueckers’ name was called on WNBA Draft night, there was one reaction that stood out: Arike Ogunbowale, the face of the Dallas Wings, was all in. Right there at the Wings’ draft party in Arlington, Arike cheered like a teammate already ready to go to war. And not long after, she made it official—posting on ‘X’ with a message that spoke volumes:

“Yessir! It’s time 😈”, tagging Paige Bueckers and letting the league know exactly how she felt.

That simple post? It wasn’t just excitement; it was leadership. It was a sign from Arike—who’s carried the Wings since 2019—that she’s ready to share the spotlight. And with a generational talent like Paige Bueckers stepping into the backcourt alongside her, that mindset could be the key to unlocking Dallas’ full potential. While analysts have debated whether two ball-dominant players can truly co-exist, Arike’s quick show of enthusiasm silenced much of the noise. She’s clearly ready to partner up, to build, and to win.

And Paige? She’s already proven she can thrive in a system where it’s not all about her. During UConn’s recent NCAA Championship run, she didn’t just score—she elevated everyone around her. Her ability to get her teammates open looks, control the pace, and step up with big-time buckets when needed (yeah, that 40-point masterpiece…) showed exactly the kind of team-first mentality she’s bringing to Dallas.

So, while the “fit” questions might still linger outside, the two stars at the center of it all aren’t worried. They’re excited. They’re locked in. And they’re already speaking the same language. “It’s time.” Now, let’s see how high these Wings can fly.