Even though Paige Bueckers hasn’t stepped foot in the WNBA yet, the UConn guard is already making her mark in the league.
Insiders have her tabbed as the No.1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, and with Paige having signed an NIL deal and set to play in the new Unrivaled League, her popularity is only set to grow.
As a result many believe the Dallas Wings will take Bueckers first overall in April, and Annie Costabille of the Chicago Sun believes the team could move on from Satou Sabally in order to make room for her.
“There is an understanding around the league that Sabally will be on the move after the Wings make her a core player this weekend, when GMs can begin sending out qualifying offers and core tags,” she wrote.
“What’s unclear is where she’ll end up. The Sky’s chances of landing Sabally are slim, but the No. 3 pick opens the door to a potential conversation with Wings GM Curt Miller.“
Is Bueckers’ future already decided?
While many believe the Wings will draft Bueckers if given the chance, there are some who wonder whether the UConn guard will hold off on joining the pro ranks for another year.
The Wings have been one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the WNBA since joining in 2016. They’ve had five coaches during that span, and don’t have a coach at the moment.
With one year of college eligibility still remaining, ESPNs Michael Voepel believes Bueckers could stay at UConn another year.
“Sources around the league have indicated that the LA Sparks, who got the No. 2 pick in the lottery, would have been Bueckers’ preferred option. Like the Wings, the Sparks also currently don’t have a head coach. But LA is a gigantic market and a team that could also have used a guard like Bueckers,” Voepel wrote.