No Projects, Just Players: Dallas Wings Enter Win-Now Mode with Free Agency Moves
The Dallas Wings move past the experiment phase and bet on production.
The Dallas Wings aren’t waiting around anymore and hoping players make a name for themselves down the road, the organization is assembling a roster with proven players to help them win now under first-year coach Jose Fernandez. The Wings have had one winning season since arriving to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex 10 years ago and the early offseason moves show they are ready to make this upcoming season a step in the right direction.
Wings struck gold in obtaining the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, selecting Paige Bueckers after she won the 2025 NCAA National Championship. Bueckers showed out in her first season, being voted on the 2025 WNBA All Star, All-WNBA Second Team and Rookie of the Year. The Wings look to surround their new superstar with talented youth that match her timeline and also vets who have had proven success, to catapult the franchise into winning ways.
Alanna Smith Headed to Dallas on a Three-Year Max Deal
Wings made the 2025 Co-DPOY and First-Team All-Defense forward/center Alanna Smith a priority as soon as teams were able to communicate with free agents. The Wings struggled on defense last season as they ranked second worst in team defensive rating. Smith finished third in the league for blocks last season, setting a career high. Smith became the eighth player in WNBA history to record 80 or more total blocks in a season. Smith has finished in the top seven in blocks in each of the last three WNBA seasons. Richard Cohen and HerHoopStats reported Smith signed with Dallas Wings for three-years, protected $1,190,000/1,249,500/1,309,000.
Smith’s offensive game is very underrated as she provides versatility and the ability to play inside and out, something that hasn’t been the norm for Wings bigs in the past. Smith checks all of the boxes and is in the prime of her career, who will shine with more responsibility on offense and sustain the elite defense for the Wings. Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks last season. Smith has familiarity with some of her new teammates, as she played with Arike Ogunbowale and Li Yueru on Unrivaled’s 2026 championship team Mist and also with Jessica Shepard on the Lynx.
“Alanna Smith was our top target going into free agency after her outstanding 2025 season,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller stated. “As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility – she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively – we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside. Ultimately, she possesses the personal character that we wanted to add to our locker room – where we want to win first. Her journey in the WNBA is a testament to her perseverance, rising to be the highly decorated player she is today, and we can’t wait to welcome her to Dallas.”
Arike Ogunbowale Re-signs on a Two-Year Max Deal
Arike Ogunbowale was available for the super max $1.4 million per year contract after being cored by the Wings. The franchise’s cornerstone didn’t sign for the super max to return to Dallas but instead took a pay cut and accepted a regular max deal, as she took a pay cut for the team to sign other talent and build their frontcourt. Cohen and HerHoopStats reported Ogunbowale re-signed with Dallas for two-years, protected $1,190,000/1,249,500.
Ogunbowale is returning to Dallas after a down year. In the 2025 season, she averaged 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals across 29 regular-season games. Ogunbowale missed 15 games due to injury and when she did play, she was adjusting to not having the ball as much as the past with Bueckers initiating a lot of offense on her own. Ogunbowale was also adjusting to new teammates, as the team positioned veterans around her in the past but the team last year was full of rookies and unproven talent.
Ogunbowale looks to bounce back in 2026 and get back to being a dynamic scorer, she started the year off in a successful way as her Unrivaled team Mist won the 2026 championship.
“We are so excited that Arike has chosen to return to Dallas and build upon her great legacy here,” Miller stated. “We understand the unique opportunity we have in being able to welcome back our franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and we are so grateful for Arike’s loyalty to the Dallas Wings. Her commitment to the Wings and City of Dallas is undeniable and we are looking forward to building this team with her veteran leadership at the forefront.”
Jessica Shepard Joins Dallas on a Two-Year Max Deal
Jessica Shepard brings elite rebounding and versatility on offense to the Wings frontcourt. The forward is able to score inside as she shot a WNBA-best 63.8% from the field last season and be a facilitator at her position being able to find teammates. Shepard’s offensive rebounding average (2.3) ranked 7th in the WNBA, while her overall rebounding listed 10th. Shepard averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds & 2.6 assists last season with the Minnesota Lynx. Cohen and HerHoopStats reported Shepard signed with the Dallas Wings for two-years, protected, $1,000,000/$1,050,000.
Shepard brings stability to the team, knowing she will contribute right away and now reunites in Dallas with her college teammate Arike Ogunbowale, they won a NCAA national championship together at Notre Dame in 2018.
“The Wings are ecstatic about the signing of Jessica Shepard to a multi-year deal. She was a priority for us in free agency because of her versatility offensively.” Miller stated. “She is a fantastic passer and facilitator along with being an incredible scorer around the rim. We were also drawn to her because of her high basketball IQ , which we can’t wait to pair with our exciting young core of players.”
Awak Kuier Returns on a One-Year Protected Deal
Awak Kuier reached an agreement to re-sign with the Dallas Wings. Kuier, who last played in 2023, returns to the Wings after a stellar season with Galatasaray. After two years away from the WNBA, Kuier will bring the best version of herself in her second stint in the league. Kuier was able to grown her game and mental overseas in the two-year absence. Over 17 Euroleague games this season, Kuier recorded 12.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Kuier led Euroleague in blocks, second in double-doubles (5), fifth in efficiency and sixth in field goal percentage.
Kuier was selected by the Wings with the No. 2 pick back in 2021 and has yet to reach her potential in the WNBA but growing her game overseas, she isn’t potential anymore. Rather, Kuier is coming back to be a vital member of this new Wings team and looks forward to showing her skills she worked on the past two years. Cohen and HerHoopStats reported Kuier re-signed with the Dallas Wings for one-year, protected, $525,000.
“Recruiting Awak back to Dallas and the WNBA was a huge priority for our staff during this offseason.” Miller stated. “Awak’s game has continued to grow since last playing in the WNBA. She impacts the game at both ends of the court. Offensively, she can score at all three levels while defensively, she impacts the game with her length and athleticism. We are truly excited about Awak’s return to Dallas.”
No. 1 Pick in 2026 Draft
The Dallas Wings have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft Monday. The recent offseason moves of Smith, Shepard and Kuier, ends discussion of bigs like Awa Fam or Lauren Betts as a potential pick and points to guard Azzi Fudd. Olivia Miles is also a guard who can hear her name called when the Wings announce their selection but with Bueckers and Ogunbowale initiating offense, that leans toward a prospect like Fudd.
Fudd can make an immediate impact adding elite shooting, defense and the ability to not need high usage to make an impact. That is a skill that has been needed in Dallas for a long time. The Wings have been a bottom three team in three-point shooting since they arrived in Texas 10 years ago. Fudd would help that and more, especially with not only guards who can pass but now bigs who have the ability to find open players.