Quick Read
- Dallas Wings ended the 2025 WNBA season with a 10-34 record, tied for worst in the league.
- Rookie Paige Bueckers earned 2025 Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 19.2 points per game.
- Bueckers will compete in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league during the offseason.
- Both Bueckers and Angel Reese expanded their brand collaborations, highlighted by an Oreo campaign.
- The Wings face a major rebuilding challenge to improve next season.
Dallas Wings: A Season of Challenges and Emerging Hope
The Dallas Wings wrapped up their 2025 WNBA campaign with a record of 10 wins and 34 losses, tied with the Chicago Sky for the league’s lowest mark. For the franchise and its fans, the season was a harsh reminder of the competitive mountain that still lies ahead. Yet, even in a year marked by struggle, there were flashes of promise—chief among them, the rookie debut of Paige Bueckers.
Paige Bueckers: Rookie of the Year and Beacon for the Wings
In a season where victories were few and far between, Paige Bueckers managed to carve out her own narrative. The former college standout made a seamless transition to the professional stage, quickly establishing herself as a centerpiece for the Wings. Her averages—19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals over 36 games—weren’t just impressive for a first-year player; they were enough to earn her the 2025 Rookie of the Year award.
Bueckers’ play was a bright spot in an otherwise dim campaign. She showed poise under pressure, creativity in playmaking, and a knack for rising to the occasion. The Wings may have struggled to string together wins, but Paige’s performances kept fans engaged, offering a glimpse into a future where Dallas could be a playoff contender.
Offseason Moves: Building Brand and New Opportunities
With the WNBA offseason underway, Bueckers and fellow rising star Angel Reese found themselves in the spotlight far from the hardwood. The two attended the New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic NBA game, drawing attention not only for their on-court achievements but also for their growing presence in the world of sports marketing. On social media, their collaboration with the Oreo cookie brand made waves, as both athletes showcased their personalities and marketability in a series of posts featuring playful dances and branded apparel.
This period of downtime is more than just rest—it’s a crucial time for players like Bueckers to build their public profiles and secure endorsements that can impact their careers off the court. Reese, notably, has leveraged her connections, including her relationship with Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., to expand her brand partnerships. For Bueckers, these moves hint at a growing recognition that today’s athletes are as much entrepreneurs and influencers as they are competitors.
Looking Forward: Unrivaled League and New Challenges
While Bueckers and Reese have enjoyed the lighter side of the offseason, Paige is already preparing for her next competitive chapter: the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. Co-founded in 2023 by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled aims to provide elite women’s basketball players with additional opportunities to compete and connect with fans. Bueckers will suit up for the Breeze team, joining forces with Aari McDonald (Indiana Fever), Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm), Kate Martin (Golden State Valkyries), Cameron Brinck, and Rickea Jackson (LA Sparks).
This move signals Bueckers’ commitment to year-round development and competition, a trait that often separates good players from great ones. While Angel Reese will not be participating in Unrivaled, her own journey continues along a parallel path of growth and visibility.
Challenges Remain: Wings’ Path to Relevance
The Wings’ 2025 season left no doubt about the work that lies ahead. With one of the weakest records in the league, the team faces a daunting task: rebuilding its roster, strengthening its defense, and finding ways to translate individual brilliance into team success. Bueckers’ arrival has certainly injected hope, but sustainable progress will require a concerted effort from management, coaches, and players alike.
Still, for fans in Dallas, there is reason to believe that the worst may be behind them. The combination of emerging stars, a focus on player development, and an increasingly engaged fanbase could lay the foundation for a turnaround.
Spotlight on the Players: Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers
While the Wings and Sky shared the unfortunate distinction of ending the year at the bottom of the standings, both teams boasted young stars who refused to let the numbers define their seasons. Reese finished her sophomore campaign with averages of 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game—a testament to her consistency and all-around impact.
The camaraderie and mutual respect between Reese and Bueckers were on full display at the Knicks-Magic game, where their joint appearance and social media collaboration captured the attention of fans and media alike. Their ability to connect with supporters, both on and off the court, suggests that the future of women’s basketball will be shaped not only by athletic performance but also by personality and outreach.
As the WNBA continues to evolve, the Wings and their stars remain at the forefront of a new era, where visibility, versatility, and voice are as crucial as points scored or games won.
While the Dallas Wings’ record speaks to the challenges they faced in 2025, Paige Bueckers’ breakout season and her proactive offseason plans offer a blueprint for growth and resilience. The franchise’s next steps will be critical: building around their young talent, leveraging their stars’ marketability, and translating promise into progress. For Dallas, the journey toward relevance is far from over—but with Bueckers leading the charge, the future looks brighter than the standings suggest.
