‘You Can’t Replace What Nai Does’: Dallas Wings Adjusting Without DiJonai Carrington’s Defensive Leadership
The Dallas Wings are still feeling the absence of DiJonai Carrington, their former “head of the snake” on defense, as they work to redefine their identity following her trade to the Minnesota Lynx.
Carrington was dealt to Minnesota on Sunday in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson (foot), and a 2027 second-round pick. The 27-year-old guard-forward had appeared in 21 games (13 starts) for Dallas this season, averaging 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals over 24.5 minutes. She began the year in a starting role but came off the bench frequently before the deal.
In her Lynx debut Tuesday night, Carrington made an immediate impact. The 2024 WNBA All-Defensive First Team selection scored 13 points and added a key fourth-quarter block to help league-leading Minnesota (25-5) overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and defeat the Seattle Storm 91-87 without injured star Napheesa Collier.
A Difficult Decision to Trade DiJonai Carrington
For general manager Curt Miller, the decision to move Carrington was as personal as it was strategic, blending the difficult emotions of parting with a player he had handpicked with the calculated considerations of roster building. Carrington wasn’t just another name on the depth chart — she was a trusted leader, a defensive anchor, and a player he had believed in since draft night in 2021.
“Tough,” Curt Miller said. “I drafted her. And I’ll be the first to say — if you redrafted that class, you could make a strong case for DiJonai to be the No. 1 overall pick. She’s that good.”
Miller explained that while he wanted to keep Carrington in Dallas, the looming “unprecedented” free agency period forced the front office to weigh long-term flexibility against short-term continuity. That meant examining which players could realistically be re-signed, where positional gaps remained, and what assets could be acquired now to help shape the team’s future.
“I wanted it badly for her. But as the GM, looking ahead to this unprecedented free agency, you have to ask — who’s signable, who’s re-signable? Once those conversations start, they accelerate quickly. And when we were approached, we looked at the outcome and saw a chance to get young assets. Still, it was hard to lose someone like DiJonai, especially given our relationship. I’m so proud of what she’s done and where we were able to draft her in that class.”
Dallas Wings Filling the Leadership Void
Head coach Chris Koclanes acknowledged that Carrington’s defensive presence can’t be replaced by a single player, noting that her ability to anchor coverages and disrupt primary scorers was a rare combination.
“Everybody,” Koclanes said when asked who could take over that role. “It’s really by committee right now, and we’re challenging this group to lean into that and take on expanded roles. We don’t have that one kind of alpha who can demand it of one another and keep us organized. It’s everybody until somebody steps into it and takes that ownership. It’s also on us as a staff. It’s a collective effort.”
Koclanes pointed to the nuances of what Carrington provided — constant communication, anticipation in pick-and-roll situations, and the ability to guard multiple positions without fouling — as areas where the Wings now have to be more intentional.
Without her, Dallas has been forced to experiment with different lineups, sometimes asking smaller guards to check bigger wings or leaning on help rotations earlier in possessions.
“Her voice was as important as her length and athleticism,” Koclanes said. “She’d call out actions before they happened and get everyone in the right spot. That’s not something you just plug in overnight. We have players capable of stepping up, but it’s going to take time and trust to get that same defensive chemistry.”
Myisha Hines-Allen on DiJonai Carrington: “You Can’t Replace What Nai Does”
Veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen echoed that sentiment, noting Carrington’s impact was as much mental as physical. Beyond her ability to defend multiple positions and take on the toughest matchups, Carrington brought a steadiness and command that elevated the group’s collective effort.
“You can’t replace what Nai does for our team. She’s the head of the snake,” Hines-Allen said. “Her mind and how she approaches the game defensively will definitely be missed. But we have a group of women who want to continue to get better and grow, and be better not only for themselves but for the team.
“They’re taking the challenge to be better defensively—that’s talking, that’s communicating. Chris talked about a quarterback on the court, someone who could see the floor and tell people where to go in coverages. That’s going to be collective. Not one person can change what we’re trying to do defensively. It’s going to take a group effort, group accountability, and togetherness. That’s what it’s going to take for us to succeed.”
For Hines-Allen, the adjustment isn’t just about filling a role on the court — it’s about making sure the defensive identity Carrington helped establish doesn’t fade.
She emphasized that even players not known primarily for their defense have to embrace more responsibility, from crashing the boards to making the right rotations under pressure.
“It’s everyone’s job now to talk more, see more, and cover for each other,” she said.
Looking Ahead
Carrington’s departure leaves Dallas in transition, but the move also gives the Wings a clear opportunity to retool in real time. Diamond Miller’s length and versatility fit a pressing need, giving Dallas another option to defend bigger wings while stretching the floor offensively.
The focus now shifts to accelerating her integration, which the coaching staff hopes will solidify before the playoff push. Her development over the final weeks is expected to serve as both an immediate boost and a preview of what she can bring in 2026.
“This wasn’t a decision made lightly,” Curt Miller said. “But sometimes, as much as you value someone, you have to look at the bigger picture of where your roster is going. I think she’ll continue to be great in Minnesota.”
The Wings’ next chance to continue to adjust without Carrington will occur on Friday night when they host the defending champion New York Liberty in a rematch.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
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- WNBA News: “Hoping It Won’t Take Me Out”: Paige Bueckers Details Back Injury After Dallas Wings’ Loss to New York Liberty
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Waive Karlie Samuelson, Will Oversee Rehab Through Offseason
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
- WNBA News: “There Will Be Big Minutes”: Dallas Wings to Lean on Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist After DiJonai Carrington Trade
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Trade DiJonai Carrington to Minnesota Lynx, Acquire Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson
