Anthony Davis welcomes fellow No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers to Dallas

The Dallas Wings selected UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Anthony Davis welcomes fellow No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers to Dallas

Anthony Davis and new Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers

Paige Bueckers entered the 2025 WNBA Draft and was the unanimous No. 1 overall pick. This meant, the Dallas Wings would select her, taking her to Texas as part of a team that would be fighting for the playoffs.

When the Wings won the lottery, many expected Bueckers to join franchise superstar Arike Ogunbowale to be the equivalent of the Dallas Mavericks duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. But that dream shattered when the Slovenian was dispatched to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Now instead, the Mavericks are a new look team headed by Anthony Davis. Knowing there was no way the Wings were going to fumble the first pick, the star center sent out a message to Paige Bueckers as soon as she was drafted.

What’s up Paige? AD here. From one first round overall pick to another, I just want to say congratulations. Welcome to Dallas. Can’t wait to get you here to support you. Come to some games to watch you do your thing. Congrats again, enjoy the night.

Anthony Davis said

The NBA champion’s words suggest he and his teammates will make their way to College Park Center to watch the Dallas Wings play. With the addition of Paige Bueckers, the Wings not only become a playoff ready team, but also will capture the attention of fans.

The UConn alum brings along with her millions of fans, which is why Caitlin Clark advocated that the Wings should move the rest of their games to the much larger arena the Mavericks use. Anthony Davis and the Mavericks are getting a new superstar in town, just that she is on another team.

Mark Cuban hyped for Paige Bueckers’ impact on Dallas

Last season, Caitlin Clark brought in $36 million revenue to the city of Indianapolis. Dallas will likely get a major boost with the arrival of Paige Bueckers. Billionaire Mark Cuban, who happens to know a thing or two about revenue tweeted out fire emoticons to welcome the UConn star to the city.

As a superstar, Bueckers will bring her elite efficiency and defense to the Dallas Wings. At the same time, her ability to draw packed houses and sell merchandise will help the team set attendance records and sales milestones.

Cuban knows how the Mavericks are suffering since Luka Doncic left the city. The Wings getting a superstar of their own will try and help to offset that. Bueckers is coming into Dallas at a time when the city is desperately needs a basketball star.

Bueckers will compete with star guards for a starting spot

After the Dallas Wings won the WNBA Draft lottery, many felt that Paige Bueckers would slide into the open small forward spot. But uncertainty surrounding the UConn star’s future led the Wings to go all out and not take a chance.

They traded for star guards Tyasha Harris and DiJonai Carrington. They also brought in NaLyssa Smith. Add Maddy Siegrist to the mix and they have options at power forward. Now the question that fans could ask is that where Bueckers line will up.

Harris is a true point guard and Carrington is the best perimeter defender the team has. Both started for the Connecticut Sun last season on their way to the semifinals. Arike Ogunbowale is All-Star guard whose position is secure. This means, there is a four-way battle for three starting positions.

The Wings also selected Aziaha James with the 12th overall pick and athletic wing Madison Scott two picks later. Now the Wings have multiple players to choose from. It is a good luxury for the Wings to have who struggled to have a stable roster last season.