When is she going to Dallas? That was the recent hot question on the internet as Paige Bueckers’ multiple spotting snaps came straight out of Connecticut. And you know what, as much as fans were dying to see her in Wings jersey, the idea of her finally leaving hit everyone right in the feels. Yes, she officially signed with Dallas, and just like that, her UConn era closed its glittering chapter. No more Gampel magic. No more sideline moments with Geno Auriemma. But, don’t worry, Storrs…Dallas already seems to love her like she’s been theirs for years.

The Wings’ draftees were greeted with love, cheers, and something a little more on-brand for the Lone Star State…brand new, crisp white Stetson cowboy hats. The vibes were immaculate inside Dallas City Hall, where fans and city workers lined balconies to catch a glimpse of their newest WNBA stars. 

Dallas City Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert personally handed out those iconic hats during the team’s introductory presser, and Paige and Co. looked like they were born for this rodeo.

Joining Bueckers in the rookie roundup were Aziaha James, Madison Scott, JJ Quinerly, and Aaronette Vonleh. And you already know Dallas loves their cowboy culture, from rodeos to Western boots, and that signature wide-brimmed hat. So yes, the hat wasn’t just a gift, it was a cultural representation. 

Now, it’s go time. Training camp kicks off Sunday, and Bueckers is deep in hustle mode. “It’s been insane. It’s been nonstop on the go,” she said. “I’m either doing something or packing.” But soon, she’ll be dishing dimes and drilling buckets about 20 miles out from downtown at College Park Center in Arlington. 

And just in case you’re marking calendars, circle June 27. That’s when Dallas faces Indiana. That means Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers at the Mavericks’ home court. And as hyped as we are for Bueckers, you know what’s really got people losing it? The Arike Ogunbowale–Paige Bueckers duo. She herself might be hesitating about moving to Big D but she is definitely thrilled to play with former Notre Dame star. 

“I’m excited. She’s electric,” Paige said of Arike. “She can score at all three levels…obviously a bucket-getter, so looking to assist her a lot, space the floor, get her open looks, play off each other.” Bueckers is ready to help Ogunbowale shine by spacing the floor and playing off each other’s strengths.

We know that Ogunbowale is a four-time All-Star and three-time All-WNBA selection. She is definitely the ball-dominant type, former UConn star brings some serious versatility to the table. Her ability to handle the ball and create plays takes a lot of the pressure off Ogunbowale, giving her more space to focus on scoring. This combo makes the Wings’ offense way more unpredictable and harder to defend.

We saw Bueckers’ playmaking magic during a game against Butler. She dropped a UConn single-game record with 14 assists in a big 97–68 win. Then, in another game against Villanova, she went off for 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists—all in just three quarters, leading UConn to a dominant 100–57 victory. The way she can run the offense and contribute in so many ways  mixed with Ogunbowale’s scoring punch makes fans believe that Wings should be in a position to take a leap forward in 2025.

But can this pairing be the best?

Can Paige Bueckers and Arike be the highest-scoring backcourt?

One year after rolling out a combo of Odyssey Sims, Sevgi Uzun, and Jacy Sheldon next to Arike, the Wings went all in with the first pick. The result was probably the most intriguing backcourt in the league right now. Ogunbowale was the highest-scoring guard in the league last season with 22.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Miss Buckets dropped 19.9 per game at UConn. If they both hit those marks in the pros, we’re easily looking at a 42-point-per-night backcourt. That’s nuclear.

But like… you know, it’s never that simple. Adding another on-ball player like Paige could mean Arike’s volume dips a little. And we’ve seen it before. Back in 2022, she took fewer shots and dropped to 19.7 PPG. Efficiency might go up, but the totals could dip. 

And then there’s the rookie curve. Paige is a baller, no doubt, but jumping from NCAA to WNBA is a whole new level. Matching that 19.9 right away is going to be a tall order. Still, the Wings don’t have that many other scorers gunning for touches. DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Teaira McCowan can hoop, no question. But for high-volume scoring, Wings might mostly rely on Arike and Paige.

Their biggest competition is the Indiana Fever. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell both dropped 19.2 last season. That’s 38.4 together, and it was efficient. With Clark entering Year 2, there’s a good chance she ups that average. But Indiana also brought in DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. And while that boosts the team overall, it also means fewer shots for Mitchell. 

So, all in all, it’s tight. Let’s see who comes out on top!