Wings' Offseason shaped through trades, departures and acquistions
Dallas took part in a three-team trade in hopes of bolstering their frontcourt, while providing valuable experience. But, that wasn't their only offseason move.
The Dallas Wings began its offseason with the hiring of Los Angeles Sparks assistant Latricia Trammell. Two months later, the team is back in the news with the acquisition of a three-time WNBA champion. On Sunday January 15th, the Wings, along with the Connecticut Sun, and New York Liberty completed a five-player trade that sent all-star Natasha Howard and rights to Crystal Dangerfield to Dallas. Tyasha Harris, Rebecca Allen, and the 2023 No. 6 overall pick (NY) to Connecticut. 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones with Kayla Thornton are headed to New York. Trade wise, it’s a no brainer Dallas and New York were the big winners of the trade. The acquisition of Jones is a major win for the Liberty, as it gives them a former MVP who has the ability to push their ceiling higher. Jones is a two-way star who can compliment Sabrina Ionescu. She can score from all over the court, whether it means getting to the free throw line or creating her shot, her offensive game is a lethal weapon of hers in addition to rebounding and a premier defender. They also get a solid role player in Thornton who will be a main defender for the team. Dallas too gets an efficient scorer and defender in Howard who can be a great asset to a team that has struggled to get out of the first round. As for Connecticut, they received quality role players in Tyasha Harris, Rebecca Allen and a top draft pick, while creating future cap space to core their all-star and reigning Sixth Player of the Year Brionna Jones. But let’s break down what does the trade means for the Wings and company? How much value does Howard provide to the team? or what about the Allisha Gray trade? For starters, Howard brings plenty of hardware. Over the past six season, the 6’2 forward has been selected a two-time WNBA all-star, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time Defensive first-team. On paper, she matches all the qualities Dallas has been looking for. As a three-time WNBA champion she brings plenty of playoff experience for a team that has been bounced in the first round the past two seasons.
But on the court, she provides much more than just hardware. Last season, the former Liberty averaged 15.1 points per game, while shooting 48.2 percent. Compared to her new teammates, she would have been second in points behind Arike Ogunbowale, and second in field goal percentage behind center Teaira McCowan.
In the playoffs, Howard carried her share of the load. In Game 1 of the first round, she dropped in 22 points, and seven rebounds. Fast forward two games later and she averaged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. This performance would have helped the Wings tremendously, as they spent the whole playoffs without all-star Ogunbowale.
Yet, Howard wasn’t the only trade of the week. On Wednesday, the Wings had an agreement in place to trade Allisha Gray to the Atlanta Dream. The details of the trade are being finalized but the trade package reported by Howard Megdal (The Next Hoops) has the Dream’s 2023 No. 3 overall pick and a future first-round pick (2024 or 2025) . The former 2017 rookie of the year averaged 13.3 points last season, while shooting 42 percent. Gray played a major role in helping Dallas win its first playoff game in franchise history and has was a two-way player who has been a mainstay for the organization.
By trading away Gray’s $169,600 remaining salary, it allows the Wings to create space to match offers for their restricted free agents Marina Mabrey and Teaira McCowan.
As for the Dream, they are in the midst of obtaining savvy veterans to help them get over their playoff woes. It’s expected that Gray won’t be Atlanta’s only move as they have around $852,573 in salary cap.
Losing both Gray, Thornton and Harris hurts Wings’ fans but gaining an experience all-star could help Dallas in the long run. If the team can retain their other two free agents, then obtaining Howard will greatly improve their chance at returning to the playoffs for a third straight season.
The question will be: How will Trammell’s gameplan use Ogunbowale and Howard together to help the team move further in the playoffs?