The Dallas Wings hit rock bottom in 2025, tying for the WNBA’s worst record at 10-34. Yet general manager Curt Miller sees a silver lining in the rubble.
While Miller earlier praised Paige Bueckers after Rookie of the Year, the Wings GM now sounds confident than ever to build around the star rookie. For the team that couldn’t quite pull off what their fans in Dallas wished for, the recent development could ease some of their emotions.
Wings GM Emphasizes Building Around Paige Bueckers
Despite a lot happening at the camp, Bueckers made the most out of the occasions that were there. The No. 1 pick dazzled with 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 47.4% shooting, but the team’s collapse led to coach Chris Koclanes’ firing. While nobody saw that coming, WNBA fans on social media all noticed the same connection linking to Bueckers.
However, the GM thinks otherwise. According to “sometimes failing fast is beneficial.” Additionally, his optimism hinges on building around Bueckers, whose star power kept fans hopeful despite the skid.
“I struggled early in my career to rip the Band-Aid off when there wasn’t a perfect fit or maybe there was a move that was a little bit scary to make. Sometimes failing fast is beneficial,” Miller said. “Bring other great players to play with her [Paige Bueckers], alongside her, and build this Dallas team into what we ultimately hope is a championship.”
Dallas GM Curt Miller says Paige is ready to go to work in Year 2 😤
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) October 2, 2025
via Dallas Morning News pic.twitter.com/5nJyq0xneI
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Additionally, Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings rebuild vision comes at a critical juncture. The team’s early hype of pairing Bueckers with Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington fizzled as chemistry faltered and injuries piled up.
Now, with a 40% shot at the 2026 No. 1 pick and two more first-rounders, Miller eyes a championship future. Fans, burned by a chaotic year, are buzzing about a potential coaching upgrade, with names like Sandy Brondello in play.
Paige Bueckers’ Next Season With Wings Looks Promising
Koclanes’ exit opens the door for a coaching upgrade, and the media around the league sees a golden opportunity in Brondello, freshly available after the New York Liberty didn’t renew her contract post-2024 title.
Brondello, with a 269-181 record and two championships (2014 Mercury, 2024 Liberty), brings the pedigree Bueckers thrived under at UConn with Geno Auriemma.
Bueckers, used to Auriemma’s 12 NCAA titles and just nine losses over two college seasons, struggled under Koclanes’ erratic schemes. Viral clips showed her confusion in huddles, fueling fan outrage.