The odds for the occurrence of an unplanned crossover are very low, but never zero. And just like that, Paige Bueckers could soon share the court with a former foe turned ally, probably.
The Dallas Wings’ electrifying point guard and 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year has been all over the WNBA news for the season. Bueckers even won ‘delusional’ praise from Geno Auriemma.
While she will continue to make headlines during the offseason and the coming regular season, an ESPN mock draft has paired the star guard with her long-time rival, Lauren Betts.
Dallas Wings Mock Draft Links Paige Bueckers With Lauren Betts
Recently, ESPN’s latest mock draft projected UCLA center Betts to the Wings at No. 1 overall in 2026. The pairing, envisioned by insider Michael Voepel, would unite two college titans who clashed in last spring’s Final Four, where Bueckers’ UConn edged Betts’ UCLA 78-73.
Betts, a 6-foot-7 force averaging 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds, brings paint dominance to complement Bueckers’ playmaking, which sparked 18.4 points and 5.2 assists in her debut season despite the Wings’ 10-34 skid.
Lauren Betts can do it all
— Players Era (@Players_Era) October 25, 2025
With her size, versatility, skill, and experience, it will be almost impossible to stop her this season
Very high expectations at UCLA, and for good cause 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8bvdxTNf5P
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
However, this draft projection, alongside Bueckers’ vibrant offseason, hints at a Wings rebuild under new coach Jose Fernandez, endorsed by UConn legend Geno Auriemma.
Additionally, as Dallas eyes a lottery win for their third No. 1 pick in six years, pairing Bueckers’ vision with Betts’ rim protection could flip their fortunes. Off the court, Bueckers’ return to UConn for practice and ring ceremonies shows her heart remains with the game.
Paige Bueckers Is Making The Most Out Of WNBA Offseason
While the mock draft is as wild as it gets, Paige Bueckers is having a great time off the WNBA court. Bueckers even posed with the UConn male practice squad.
The Minnesota-born guard recently traded her Wings jersey for a red UConn practice pinny, crashing the Huskies’ training session as a scout-team menace, and on top of that, her trash-talking legend still echoed in Storrs.
Additionally, the UConn women’s basketball X account posted a grinning Bueckers with the caption, “Tried out a new practice player today.”
Tried out a new practice player today pic.twitter.com/J8VUrchf9B
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) October 25, 2025
Bueckers’ Storrs homecoming doubled as a ring ceremony on October 17, where she, Caroline Ducharme, and Azzi Fudd unveiled UConn’s 2025 championship bling, inscribed with “Power of Friendship” and “Vibes.”