The Dallas Wings had a really great offseason, addressing some roster issues and surrounding Paige Bueckers with talent.
With the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, the Wings selected Azzi Fudd. The selection caused some stir since Bueckers and Fudd are dating, though they finally addressed it ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
The Wings will begin their campaign on the road at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Indiana Fever. They dominated the Fever in the preseason, with Bueckers set to get matched up against Caitlin Clark just for the second time in the league.
2026 Dallas Wings Roster
GettyAzzi Fudd #35 of the Dallas Wings comes to the bench during game against the Las Vegas Aces in the first half at Moody Center on May 3, 2026 in Austin, Texas.
The Dallas Wings entered training camp with 22 players, but they trimmed it down to 14 players throughout the preseason. Two of those players are under a player developmental contract, which means they are limited to just 12 appearances in the 44-game campaign.
Dallas’ front office went to work in free agency, signing a couple of free agent Minnesota Lynx stars in Alanna Smith and Jessica Sheppard. They also brought in veteran guards Alysha Clark and Odyssey Sims.
Arike Ogunbowale, who some analysts thought would leave Dallas, signed a new two-year, $2,439,500 contract.
Here’s the Wings roster ahead of the 2026 WNBA season opener.
- Odyssey Sims | Guard | No. 1
- Paige Bueckers | Guard | No. 5
- Costanza Verona | Guard | No. 6
- Alysha Clark | Forward | No. 7
- Alanna Smith | Forward | No. 8
- Aziaha James | Guard | No. 10
- JJ Quinerly | Guard | No. 11
- Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu | Forward | No. 12
- Maddy Siegrist | Forward | No. 20
- Arike Ogunbowale | Guard | No. 24
- Li Yueru | Center | No. 28
- Jessica Sheppard | Forward | No. 32
- Awak Kuier | Forward | No. 34
- Azzi Fudd | Guard | No. 35
The two players signed to developmental contracts are rookie guard Constanza Verona and third-year forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu.
2026 Dallas Wings Potential Starting Five
The Wings are expected to have a three-guard lineup under new coach Jose Fernandez. Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Azzi Fudd are expected to be the starting backcourt, while the forwards could be Maddy Siegrist and Alanna Smith.
Ogunbowale missed the preseason due to an ankle injury and a previous commitment to her team in China, but she’s expected to play in the season opener against the Fever, as reported by Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.
Smith, on the other hand, suffered facial injuries in the Wings’ final preseason game against the Las Vegas Aces. Her status for the first game of the season is unclear, but if she misses time, Jessica Shepard should be the clear starter.
Paige Bueckers Comments on Upcoming Caitlin Clark Matchup
GettyPaige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings reacts during the first half against the Indiana Fever in a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 30, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Paige Bueckers was asked about her upcoming matchup against Caitlin Clark to open the 2026 WNBA season.
“Yeah, me and Caitlin Clark have been competing against each other for a long time,” Bueckers said, via EssentiallySports. “I think the greatest way to show respect is to compete and really bring the best out of each other, and I feel like we do that when we’re competing against each other.”
Bueckers and Clark teamed up last March in Team USA, so they are very familiar with each other’s games.
Dallas Wings Announce Full Roster Ahead of 2026 WNBA Season Opener