X Factors for a Successful Dallas Wings Run
This upcoming season will be different for the Dallas Wings, as new players and coaches look to make a difference. But, who exactly stands out as X factor?
It’s been nine months since the Dallas Wings last saw the court, and got eliminated at home. Fast forward ahead, the Wings have a completely different outlook with a new coach under center.
On Saturday, Dallas will put their new squad to the test as they open up the 2023 season against the Atlanta Dream.
So what’s new? Can the team achieve success in their eighth year? What about those new players? Who besides Arike Ogunbowale can help elevate the team to the next level?
For starters, the Wings are coming off what some would call a “successful offseason on paper,” as they added two new all-stars. In January, Dallas traded for Natasha Howard, a three-time WNBA Champion and 2019 defensive player of the year selection. Trammell has praised the leadership from Howard during training camp.
Along with Howard, the Wings acquired former Phoenix Mercury guard Diamond Deshields. The Wings will have to wait to see the seven-year veteran on the court as she will miss extended time this season as she deals with a knee injury. The team will provide medical updates when appropriate.
In 2019, DeShields was selected to the All-WNBA Second Team, as she made the all-star game that year. Not to mention she is a 2021 WNBA champion who averaged 5.5 points in 15.5 minutes of postseason action.
One major addition to the team was new head coach Latricia Trammell. Her defensive mindset is something that the squad hopes to learn from. During her reign with the Los Angeles Sparks, Trammell contributed to the success of multiple players being named to WNBA All-Defensive teams.
On record, the Wings looked poised for success. A team already equipped with a star like Ogunbowale can only continue getting better.
Yet, it will be up to these certain players to help make this season a success and hopefully allow the Wings to get over their first round woes.
Satou Sabally
One player to keep an eye out for is Satou Sabally. The 2020 draft pick has shown flashes of elite play but it hasn’t been consistent and she has been hit by injuries during her WNBA career. Sabally hasn’t played over 17 games in each of the first three seasons in her WNBA career.
Sabally will have the huge task of filling in the starting lineup spot left by DeShields. It is also a contract year for the 6’4” forward as she enters restricted free agency next offseason.
Last season, Sabally played in just 11 games dropping in 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. Keeping her health will be crucial to the team being an offensive threat. Remember even with all the injuries she still ranked fourth on the team in scoring.
Veronica Burton
One other X factor the team will be relying on is guard Veronica Burton. Like Howard, she has the ability to make some noise on defense in her second season. The Wings 2022 draft pick will get the opportunity to be a full-time starter for this team next to Ogunbowale.
Burton made improvements in two areas this past offseason, three-point shooting and handling the basketball under pressure.
Having her next to Ogunbowale will allow her to play on ball and create more opportunities for her and her teammates. Her visionary presence on the court will allow Dallas to play the game at their own pace and create open shots. It will be up to her to knock down the open shots with her teammates’ ability to score.
Her increased role and pesty presence defensively could play a major threat to a team ranking sixth in defensive ratings last season.
Awak Kuier
One final player that will play a pivotal role this season is Awak Kuier. The Wings 2021 draft pick will be looking to take a major leap this year.
The 6’5” forward will get an opportunity to have an impact on this team after seeing limited time during her first two seasons. During her first season with Dallas, Kuier struggled to see playing time as she took part in 16 games scoring 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in eight minutes. Not much changed a year later in 2022 when she saw her games and minutes increase. In 33 games, she put in 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds.
However, with a full season ahead things look to be different. The Wings waived Kalani Brown and former first overall pick Charli Collier. These moves, plus Sabally getting inserted into the starting lineup, will allow Kuier the time needed on the court to show her skills. Kuier showed flashes of her defensive skills last season, finishing 17th in blocks per game. With coach Trammell at the head, she has the ability to take her defensive skills to the next level.
While we all know what players like Howard and Ogunbowale are capable of, it will be up to other players on the team to step up. If the team can stay healthy and get production from their bench, then there is no telling how far the team can go.
Will this be the year the team finally makes out of the first round? Let the games begin!