The 2025 free agency market could be one of the most impactful for many franchises, as top players available in free agency could form a superteam. Veterans are up for grabs as they timed their contracts for the new CBA deal.
While the WNBA and WNBPA are working to navigate the new deal, players are taking time off for other duties. Arike Ogunbowale was coaching the Nigerian basketball team in the Battle of Jollof.
Fans loved coach Ogunbowale’s wild sidelines freestyle celebration as Team Nigeria crushed Ghana. However, her WNBA future remains uncertain.
Arike Ogunbowale Might Have Played Her Last Game At Wings
Playing in 29 games, she averaged 15.5 points and collected 2.5 rebounds, dishing out 4.1 assists in the 2025 season. Those might have been some good numbers for a rookie or a sophomore player, but a player of her magnitude and responsibility needs to deliver high stats. Sporting News’ writer Jeremy Beren put forward the same point, questioning her future at the franchise.
“In 2025, Ogunbowale missed 15 games through injury and did not play after Aug. 10. She shot a career-worst 36.4 percent from the field and averaged a career-low 15.5 points per game. She turns 29 in March and earned a salary ($249,032) just below the league’s supermax. The fact that the Wings have hired another head coach — the franchise’s fourth in five years — muddies the waters even further,” Beren wrote.
Before @Arike_O even knew about the W, her family knew she was destined for greatness.
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 6, 2025
Her confidence didn’t come from the spotlight – it came from home.
CONFIDENCE-MADE presented by CarMax OUT NOW on the WNBA App and WNBA YouTube.https://t.co/7gBNTHHBby pic.twitter.com/GeJ5dCIDUv
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“Betting on an Ogunbowale bounce-back could be worth it for Dallas, especially given Bueckers’ adaptability and comfort as a facilitator. Wings general manager Curt Miller, too, has indicated that he wants to engage with Ogunbowale on a new contract in the spring. After all, Dallas is still in a rebuild and lacks experienced players,” Beren added.
It is worth noting that the Texas franchise attempted to form a backcourt duo with Paige Bueckers and a four-time All-Star. Despite PB’s incredible season, the pairing didn’t work for the Wings, but the veteran guard didn’t shy away from praising the young star, as Ogunbowale dropped an honest reaction to Paige Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year award and looked to provide potent support. Now, the Wings will try to build around the UConn star for the future. Here are three teams that could profit from adding the star.
Where Could Arike Ogunbowale Land In Free Agency?
The teams are looking to add a veteran guard who will benefit from the 2019 rookie class, such as the Chicago Sky, Toronto Tempo, and Portland Fire. The Sky had Vandersloot as their experienced playmaker in 2025, but an injury limited her game time during the season. Adding Ogunbowale would hand them the offensive punch the side missed in the earlier season.
Her ability to create shots for herself and others will be an intriguing aspect for the expansion teams. Ogunbowale is 28, which is the exact age for the side to have her as the building block for the future. The former Notre Dame guard will be entering her prime, and having her at the heart of the offense could only benefit the sides.
It will be interesting to watch the Wings’ next move as they have the right to protect the player they drafted seven seasons ago, and who is still looking to continue with them.