‘We’re Really Excited About Arike’: Curt Miller Outlines Arike Ogunbowale’s Prominent Role in Dallas Wings’ Plans

The Dallas Wings’ 2025 season has been defined by injuries, roster churn, and a long-term plan to build around youth, cap space, and draft picks. The result stands as an 8-21 record through 31 games, but optimism about the future has not wavered.

Wings general manager Curt Miller said the team is positioned to be “really aggressive” in free agency this offseason. They could have as many as 11 players under contract or reserved, most on rookie or minimum deals, providing a sense of flexibility to leverage while many players leaguewide will be free agents.

“What’s not being written — and I’m surprised it isn’t — is that having that many young players in 2026 opens up so much cap space,” Miller said. “It positions us to be really aggressive with contract offers in this upcoming free agency.”

While Paige Bueckers is instrumental in anchoring the on-court future, Arike Ogunbowale should not be overlooked. Miller emphasized that, as important as Ogunbowale is viewed on the court, her voice is strongly valued off it, too, which will factor into their free agency plans in 2026.

“We’re really excited about Arike,” Miller said. “Since the All-Star break, you see the way she and Paige communicate. You can hear them speaking the same language. That’s been exciting for us. Arike frequently asks about other players around the league. She’ll pick up the phone and call me — ‘What about so-and-so?’ She’s not afraid to engage. That matters. She’s been through the good times and some building years. She means a lot to this franchise and organization.”

“Tough” Letting Go of DiJonai Carrington

The Wings have already made moves with the future in mind this season, including acquiring a 2027 first-round pick from the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for NaLyssa Smith. Additionally, the team views midseason trade acquisition Li Yueru as an upside option at center.

However, few moves this season carried as much emotional weight for Miller as trading DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx. Miller personally selected her during his tenure in Connecticut, and her growth into one of the league’s toughest two-way guards made her a valued piece on and off the court. However, she is playing on an expiring contract, and her time in Dallas didn’t go as planned.

“Tough. 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 said.

The decision was rooted in the Wings’ broader strategy heading into what Miller has called an “unprecedented” free agency period and the 2026 expansion draft. The front office had to evaluate not just talent, but the likelihood of retaining certain players long term.

“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,” Miller said. “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.”

Arike Ogunbowale’s Leadership and Recruiting Value

Ogunbowale, who is averaging 15.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals this season, has helped establish the culture on a young roster, emphasizing chemistry and mutual support.

“The best thing is that we actually like each other … all right, we’re in this together,” Ogunbowale said.

Her offseason involvement in the Unrivaled league has expanded her network across the WNBA, giving Dallas potential recruiting connections. Known for her work ethic and reputation as one of the league’s most talented guards, she leads by example and serves as the franchise’s public face, traits the Wings believe can help retain players and attract free agents.

The Wings did the hard part of landing a talent like Bueckers, who is averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.8 steals in her first season. Given the team’s positioning in the standings, there is a strong chance they’ll be able to land another talented prospect to add to their core in the WNBA Draft.

Having the draft as a mechanism to add talent, in addition to Ogunbowale’s free agency influence, is one of the multiple layers the team is excited about for the future, comparing the possibilities to the Oklahoma City Thunder patiently building with youth and draft picks.

“She’s an elite athlete with great length and confidence. A multiple-level scorer,” Miller said. “Now, she’ll get more opportunity in this group of young scorers. It almost feels like we’re playing an All-Star game from the 2023 draft class — we’ve got five players from that class on this team. A lot of players with a lot of runway ahead of them. We’re taking a little bit of the OKC model — building with youth and picks.”

A few teams the Wings look at as an example include the Indiana Fever, who added Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark with consecutive No. 1 overall picks. Another team is the patience the Aces benefited from by starting with Kelsey Plum and adding their next stars for a championship core.

“Look at what Indiana did with back-to-back high draft picks. Vegas built with Plum, then A’ja, then Jackie — then supplemented that core with Chelsea,” Miller said. “That’s one path. We want to make a push through the playoffs this year if it’s possible. But we’re also realistic. If the season ended today, we’d have the top odds for the No. 1 pick in the lottery.

“So there are very positive things moving for this organization, no matter what happens in the short term,” he added.

Between Paige Bueckers’ development and Arike Ogunbowale’s influence, the Dallas Wings believe they are positioned to make an aggressive push in free agency.

More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors

• WNBA News: “We Need to Put Two Halves Together”: Dallas Wings’ Rally Falls Short Without Paige Bueckers in Loss to New York Liberty
• WNBA News: “We’re Taking a Little Bit of the OKC Model”: Curt Miller on the Dallas Wings’ Roster Approach Around Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington Trade and More
• WNBA News: “Preparing to Be in the Playoffs”: Diamond Miller Settling Into Role With Dallas Wings
• WNBA News: “She Should Be Fine”: Dallas Wings Reveal Paige Bueckers Injury Status for New York Liberty Rematch
• WNBA News: “We Gave Them Too Many Open Shots”: Paige Bueckers Scores 21 as Dallas Wings Fall to New York Liberty After Second Half Slide
• 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’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
• WNBA News: Dallas Wings Trade DiJonai Carrington to Minnesota Lynx, Acquire Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson