“It’s not a rebuild. It’s a build from where we are.” The words of the No.1 pick were music to the Wings fans’ ears. Because after the season they have had, some serious contention is what they are looking for. Only a year prior, the Dallas franchise had recorded its best season in 15 years, ignited hopes, and led for the arenas to be sold out in 2024. But here they stand, with one of the worst records, leaving it to the new team and front office to rise to the task. The past campaign’s numbers aren’t anywhere near encouraging, but GM Curt Miller is ready for the challenge.

The Wings finished the 2024 season with a dismal 9-31 record. A .225 win percentage then meant their worst in the past decade. What went wrong? Injuries.

Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally missed major chunks of the season. The latter averaged an impressive 17.9 points per game, but her season was limited to just 15 games. The rest of the roster couldn’t keep up. They allowed the most points per game in the league at 92.1, and that was a sign enough that Dallas needed a major overhaul.

Starting right at the top, Curt Miller was hired as GM in November 2024. With a coaching history of over 3 decades and an aim to “hang a WNBA Championship Banner in Dallas,” he knew what he was looking for in this off-season. After an efficient free agency and 2025 draft class, Wings now have a packed roster, ready to start the training camp. So when asked about the strategy, Miller’s statement was only six words long, but the message will surely echo.

“We wanted to bring in winners,” he said. And if you’ve been paying attention, Miller has been true to his words.

Kickstarting the offseason in a hurry, Miller showed intent ever since he landed in Dallas. Executing two blockbuster trades in the first 15 hours, they moved on from All-WNBA forward Satou Sabally and guard Jaelyn Brown– emphasizing a new era in Dallas. Addressing their defensive woes, they acquired reigning Most Improved Player of the Year, DiJonai Carrington. Also named to the All-Defensive First Team, she is expected to be an asset.

The picture GM Miller was painting appeared clearer with the singing of Ty Harris, Myisha Hines-Allen and NaLyssa Smith. The latter two of the lot boast a title each– Hines-Allen as the 2019 WNBA champion with Washington Mystics and Smith as the NCAA champion with Baylor. Harris, on the other hand, comes with overseas experience and 4 years under Dawn Staley. They join Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist, and Teaira McCowan, retained from last year.

But the final piece of the puzzle arrived in April, when they finally got their centerpiece in Paige. Miller had jumped around when he heard they had secured the No.1 pick in draft lottery last November. So adding the UConn standout was always in the books. But the strategy of establishing a winning culture was further highlighted in the team’s draft strategy around their No.12 and No.14 picks.

“We’ve invested a lot of time on preparing to pick 12 and 14, and we’re excited about it,” he had previously stated. And it reflected in their decision to bring in Azaiah James and Madison Scott. The two college stars are sure to bring intensity to the training camp and their selection means Dallas hopes to win, both now and in the future. The fans are excited, too. Because 6 months before the start of the 2025 season, every regular season tickets had been sold out. So, the Wings gotta perform now.

Can Curt Miller’s winners win?

For now, FanDuel ranks the Wings as having the third-worst odds to win the title for the upcoming season, owing to a significant revamping that they’ve undergone. But, they still appear a playoff contender simply due to the talent they possess in their ranks. The players are expected to gain footing as the season proceeds. Arike Ogunbowale, however, has been here for a long time now and is capable of setting the tone for the side. Drafted in 2019, she averaged 22.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season and appeared the one shining piece in an otherwise lackluster season.

The Wings also hired coach Chris Koclanes this off season. While doubts around how his tactics will play out will continue to linger, his shared past with GM Curt Miller can provide the Wings fans a relief. As the Sparks’ head coach last season, Miller called for the second-most on-ball screens per game in the WNBA, according to Second Spectrum. With new head coach Chris Koclanes at the helm, his 5 year tenure as Miller’s assistant for the Connecticut Sun could mean they’ll heavily rely on pick-and-roll scenarios where Paige prospered in her senior year.

Dallas, however, will also have to be mindful of their defensive demons when vying for a playoff spot.

While the Wings enjoy the luxury of talent that they can allow to gradually develop, with the new CBA expected to arrive soon, their future hangs in the balance. Much like the rest of the league. But if the Wings do not show promise, they’ll be unable to attract stars to pair with Paige. The Dallas franchise has got to win now.