Ever since the Dallas Wings won the 2025 WNBA draft lottery, their focus has been on maximizing Paige Bueckers’ potential, both commercially and on the court. Though the player delivered on both fronts, the franchise failed to provide her support on the floor.
Next up was the 2026 WNBA draft, where the Wings once again have a chance to add another top talent, bettering their performance in the upcoming seasons. While many draft projections showed Azzi Fudd as a probable pick, an analyst pointed out that Coach Jose Fernandez’s international recruiting expertise raises doubts about a Bueckers-Fudd reunion.
The latest mock draft supports the claim, and it has a strong reason to bring younger and talented players forward, joining the Wings’ project.
Mock Draft Unites Paige Bueckers And Awa Fam
UConn’s dominance in the ongoing NCAAW season, Azzi Fudd’s performances and connection with PB, and Wings’ chance to pick first in the 2026 WNBA draft made it an easy decision for the side to name its top pick. But the 2025 rookie’s recent outing at the Unrivaled league changed the complete scenario.
Meghan L. Hall of USA Today simplified the situation and provided a reason for a possible change in the top pick. “During Unrivalled this offseason, Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Storm center Dominque Malonga have provided a blueprint Dallas could replicate. Bueckers and Malonga’s one-two punch has worked well, particularly with post-entry passing and scoring opportunities,” Hall wrote.
USA Today has unveiled their latest 2026 WNBA mock draft (1st Rd):
— E J 🏀 (@EJayArrow) February 19, 2026
1. Awa Fam | Dallas
2. Azzi Fudd | Minnesota
3. Olivia Miles | Seattle
4. Lauren Betts | Washington
5. Flau’Jae Johnson | Chicago
6. Gabriela Jaquez | Toronto/Portland
7. Gianna Kneepkens | Portland/Toronto
8.… https://t.co/wvCyK1MshS
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“At 6-foot-6, Fam could [have] the potential to duplicate that same setup. Fam is light on her feet and practically floats down the court, moving well in traffic. She also brings three-level scoring Dallas could use to compete with the league’s most dynamic post players,” the analyst added.
Dominique Malonga has already praised Bueckers for making her game easier, hinting at a double improvement for the franchise: a strong guard-forward combination. While Lauren Betts is one of the top forwards in the NCAAW right now, younger Awa Fam has a longer professional window, which is also tempting.
Interestingly, the Wings’ coach also spoke with PB’s former coach, getting some tips to unlock the megastar’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Coach Geno Auriemma Provide Guidelines For Maximizing Paige Bueckers’ Impact
The front office is looking to build around former UConn star and has already taken steps to trade some veterans and fringe players in the 2025 season. But before that, keeping the star player happy and utilizing her to the fullest was a must for the first-year coach. Fernandez mentioned that he met PB’s former coach and had a positive talk about some tools built from that to help Bueckers move forward.
After the meet, Wings’ coach said, “It was a good understanding of how she responds to coaching, how she wants to be coached, and certain things with her, with the basketball, what she really likes.”
NATIONAL CHAMPION → ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 😮💨
— ESPN (@espn) September 16, 2025
Paige Bueckers, everybody 👏 pic.twitter.com/4S1ywzoCvO
Auriemma shares a close bond with Bueckers and earlier advised the Wings’ franchise to let her take some of the recruitment calls, trusting her basketball IQ and style of play. There are no hints or confirmations from the Wings franchise, though, who are looking to wait till the actual draft to make their first pick official.