Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington Emerges as Trade Candidate Before WNBA’s Midseason Deadline

As the WNBA trade deadline approaches, Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington has quietly become a name to monitor across league circles.

ESPN’s Alexa Philippou recently reported that Carrington’s name has surfaced in WNBA conversations as a potential trade piece, even after Dallas already made a significant in-season move to trade NaLyssa Smith. While the Wings have not signaled a definitive direction, Carrington’s evolving role—and her value as an elite defender—makes her a player to watch.

“Dallas is one of [the teams]… They’re a team that, you said, already made an in-season trade to offload NaLyssa Smith,” Philippou said. “I’ve heard the name DiJonai Carrington brought up in some WNBA circles as someone who could also potentially be on the move beyond Dallas.”

Carrington, 27, has spent much of the season battling for consistency in a crowded backcourt. After starting earlier this season, she was recently moved to a bench role following the return of Paige Bueckers, who had missed the first game of a back-to-back due to rest. In Monday’s win over the Liberty, Carrington tallied nine points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block in 17 minutes—a game-high mark on the glass and a reminder of her tenacity, even on an inefficient shooting night.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Carrington, who was sidelined for over a month due to a rib injury. She’s averaging 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 25.3 minutes per game this season. Despite beginning the season as a starter, she’s largely filled a bench role since returning from injury.

Role Adjustment Brings Mental and On-Court Challenges

Carrington has been open about the mental adjustment required—not just in terms of minutes or touches, but in reconciling her expectations with the reality of her role. After joining Dallas with the hope of expanding her responsibilities as the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year, the shift back to the bench challenged her both personally and professionally.

“It’s definitely an adjustment,” Carrington said earlier this month. “It was hard for me just being that the whole point of me coming to Dallas was to expand my role. So, I feel like, not that coming off the bench means it’s diminished, but sort of in a sense, a little bit.”

“But I’ve come off the bench before in my career. Whenever I’m out there, y’all know what you’re going to get from me,” she explained. “This isn’t me personal towards any player who has been put into the starting lineup… over me or whatever you want to call it. This is just how I feel personally about myself, my career.”

Despite the role fluctuations, Carrington remains central to the Wings’ defensive identity. Her calling card has been clear from the moment she arrived in Dallas via sign-and-trade.

“My goal is to be the head of our defense,” Carrington said at training camp. “Chris [Koclanes] coached me in Connecticut and was the defensive guru. I want everyone to level up on that side of the ball. We’re trying to completely flip the script.”

“It’s inevitable. I’m gonna be the head on the defensive side,” she continued. “Everyone’s gonna have off days shooting… But the one thing we can stand on every single game is our defense.”

DiJonai Carrington Anchors the Dallas Wings’ Defense

Wings general manager Curt Miller, who originally drafted Carrington during his time with the Connecticut Sun, has made it clear she was part of a carefully structured vision.

“DiJonai was arguably the best guard defender in all the league in 2024,” Miller said during Carrington’s introductory press conference. “Adding her was a top priority. We needed someone to help us remake the defensive identity of this team. We were targeting players in the prime of their careers—players who bring tenacity, versatility, and a winning mentality to the locker room.”

That mindset is shared across the locker room.

“She’s the head of the snake when it comes to defense,” said Myisha Hines-Allen. “She knows exactly what the other team’s best player wants to do and how to take that away.”

While it remains unclear whether Dallas will seriously entertain offers for Carrington, her value—on the court and on the market—is apparent. As the deadline nears, all eyes will be on whether the Wings view her as a foundational piece or as part of a broader retooling effort.

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