Dallas Wings Continue Aggressive Rebuild, Introduce Smith, Carrington, Harris, Hines-Allen: "Another Momentum-Building Moment"
After finishing a disappointing 9-31 last season, the Dallas Wings have spent the offseason aggressively reshaping their roster and building around All-WNBA guard Arike Ogunbowale. On Wednesday, the franchise introduced four key acquisitions—NaLyssa Smith, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and Myisha Hines-Allen—hoping they will help lead a quick turnaround in 2025.
Dallas general manager Curt Miller called the introductions “another momentum-building moment,” citing the franchise’s substantial efforts to address specific team needs after a challenging season.
“We focused on improving shooting, defense, post depth, rebounding, versatility, and great character in the locker room,” Miller said. “All four of these players understand what it takes to win at the highest level.”
Smith, Carrington, and Harris were acquired in February in a four-team trade involving the Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury, and Indiana Fever. Dallas also received the reserved rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, the No. 12 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, and future pick swaps. The Wings parted with former franchise cornerstone Satou Sabally and rotation players Kalani Brown, Sevgi Uzun, Jacy Sheldon, and Jaelyn Brown as part of the deal.
Hines-Allen signed with Dallas as a free agent after playing last season with the Minnesota Lynx.
All four new players share the same immediate goal: winning.
“For me, I just want to be better than last year, keep stacking years, show Dallas I’ve grown,” Harris said. “For the team, I wanna win. Simple as that.”
Carrington, the reigning WNBA Most Improved Player and an All-Defensive first-team selection who averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals last season with Connecticut, echoed that goal.
“Continue on that winning streak, make playoffs, next step offensively and keep developing defensively,” Carrington said. Later, she added a message directly to fans: “We’re winners, bringing that mentality here—fans should expect wins.”
Smith, a Texas native who starred at Baylor, averaged 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds last season with Indiana. She expressed excitement about returning home and fitting into a key role as a versatile forward.
“Anytime I get to play in front of my family, all the time, I’m super excited for it,” Smith said. “Now my grandpa gets to come to games because he ain’t never flew before. Now he’s up the road, it’s going to be fun.”
Smith and Carrington reunite as Dallas teammates after playing together at Baylor during the 2020-21 season, further enhancing their excitement about the move. Shortly after the trade was announced, the duo shared their enthusiastic reaction to joining forces again in Dallas through a video on TikTok.
Harris returns to the Wings after two seasons with Connecticut, coming off a career year with averages of 10.5 points, 3.0 assists, and a 39.5% three-point percentage.
“When I first came here, I came in the Wubble season where everything was new to me. I was kind of a baby, just trying to find my legs, my voice,” Harris said. “But I feel like this year I’ve grown leadership wise, know when to assert myself on the court…I just feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person.”
Miller highlighted Harris’s versatility and shooting as essential qualities.
“I recruited Ty [dating back to my] Indiana days,” Miller said. “Her versatility, shooting, size, and leadership—had to have her.”
Hines-Allen, a seven-year veteran who averaged 7.8 points and 4.7 rebounds with Minnesota last season, said the Wings’ commitment to development and off-court investment attracted her to Dallas.
“One thing that attracted me here—development, leadership, ownership—building something for city, fans, and players.”
All four additions expressed excitement about playing alongside Ogunbowale, who earned All-WNBA second-team honors last season.
“Super excited,” Smith said. “Fan of her since college—she’s a dog, someone who can hoop.”
Harris, who previously played with Ogunbowale, said: “Played with her three years, our relationship goes beyond basketball. Excited to get back.”
Carrington added: “She’s a hooper, exciting to have her on our side now. She’s one of the hardest to guard.”
Harris also shared her enthusiasm about reuniting with Ogunbowale: “Another reason I came here—she’s an All-WNBA type player. Excited to be teammates.”
The Wings also hold five selections—Nos. 1, 12, 14, 27, and 31—in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 14 in New York City. UConn superstar Paige Bueckers is widely projected as the likely top pick. Miller sees the draft as another critical opportunity to add impactful talent.
“Having two first round picks, including the No. 1 selection and the No. 12 pick, provides a great opportunity to add young, talented players with the potential to impact this organization for years to come.”
The Wings’ offseason rebuild extends beyond roster construction. Dallas sold out season tickets for the second consecutive year, demonstrating significant growth in fan interest and community support. The franchise recently announced a landmark local broadcast agreement with Tegna’s KFAA-TV (Channel 29), significantly expanding the team’s visibility throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
The Wings are also preparing for a substantial off-court move to a renovated arena in downtown Dallas in 2026. Memorial Arena at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will feature a new, state-of-the-art practice facility—a major draw for prospective talent.
Still, Miller stressed significant work ahead before the team’s offseason moves translate into sustained success.
“Does it feel like a home run? Sure,” Miller said. “But you don’t win on paper. We have a lot of work ahead of us. I can’t wait to support this coaching staff, which I think is elite, and in not long we’re going to get to work.”
As the press conference concluded, Harris assured fans they would witness an exciting brand of basketball in 2025.
“We’re here to make a statement,” Harris said. “Young, fast-paced, exciting basketball.”
