2019 WNBA Team Preview: Dallas Wings
Coming off of a season that had several highs and lows, the team saw many changes in the offseason, including a new coach, key draft picks and the trade of their star player.
2018 Season Recap [15–19 Record]
Dallas looked poised to secure a high playoff seed last year, before ending the season on 1–11 slump. A string of injuries and a struggling defense contributed to the losses (Dallas ranked 9th in defense overall). After firing their head coach in the midst of the losing streak, the Wings were able to hang on to the last playoff spot.
Finishing 8th overall and 5th in the Western Conference, Dallas was ultimately eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury (101–83), losing in the first round for the second year in a row.
In the off season, Skylar Diggins-Smith announced her pregnancy, throwing into question what the timetable of her return for the 2019 season would look like, if at all. Later on, Liz Cambage requested a trade. Diggins-Smith and Cambage were high performers for the Wings in 2018 and with both stat leaders’ returns in question, the Dallas Wings look to restructure and assert their position in the playoffs in 2019.
Projected Starting Five
Allisha Gray [9.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG]
Selected by the Dallas Wings as the fourth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, Allisha Gray returns after playing overseas in the Israeli League during the off season and looks to improve this year. Though Gray averaged nearly double figures last season, she only shot 27% from three. That said, she should see an increased offensive load with the departure of Liz Cambage.
Glory Johnson [8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG]
Glory Johnson was a top off-season priority for the Wings, and was re-signed on the first day of free agency along with Kayla Thornton. Although last year was a career low in points per game, this incredibly athletic 6'3'’ forward has a solid three point range and the Wings should see her stepping up a lot in 2019.
Kayla Thornton [ 9.2 PPG, 35.5% 3P%, 4.0 RPG ]
The 6'1'’ forward played in all 34 games in 2017. Kayla Thornton was an early re-signing on the first day of free agency along with Glory Johnson. Staring in all preseason games, she scored a career high 18 points in against Seattle last year.
Arike Ogunbowale [21.8 PPG, 35.9% 3P%]
The 5th overall draft pick has plenty of space to make an immediate impact on the Dallas Wings with Diggins-Smith out (return TBD) and the departure of Liz Cambage. Ogunbowale dropped 19 points in a preseason game versus the Connecticut Suns and was 3 for 6 shooting from three. Arike Ogunbowale brings the swagger and drive with a track record to prove it and is an early Rookie of the Year candidate (the WNBA GM Survey has Ogunbowale tied with Asia Durr). Coming out of the Muffet McGraw system, she should find a groove quickly with Skylar Diggins-Smith once they’re able to share the court.
Kaela Davis [5.0 PPG, 34.7% 3P% on 5.3 3-point attempts a game]
In 2017, Kaela Davis became the first rookie in the Wings’ franchise history to score 20 points in a season opener and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. A battle with vertigo kept Davis out for the end of the 2018 season, however with Skylar Diggins-Smith out for at least the start of the season, Kaela Davis may be in line for more minutes as a good three point threat.
Key Additions and Bench
Brian Agler [Coach]: When Brian Agler became a coaching free agent after leaving the LA Sparks, Dallas was ready to scoop up a coach with championship experience. Agler is the only coach in WNBA history to lead two different franchises to championships (2010 with Seattle and 2016 with Los Angeles). With 15 years of coaching experience, Agler inherits a team with mixed seniority and rookies with a lot of potential.
Skylar Diggins-Smith [Returning from Maternity Leave]: Skylar Diggins-Smith surprised many when she reported to training camp just weeks after giving birth. Diggins-Smith was conservative with her timeline and declined to put a timeline on her return. Her — and many Dallas Wings fans’ — hope is to return for the 2019 season. Leading the team with assists (6.2) and steals (1.4), the Wings would certainly benefit from her return.
Imani McGee-Stafford [Received from Atlanta in exchange for a 2020 third-round pick]: With the departure of Cambage, Imani McGhee-Stafford was brought in from Atlanta and will help shore up the middle. She’s had limited offensive production so far in her career, but at 6’7’’, she is a long and athletic post that runs the floor well with 3.4 RPG.
Isabelle Harrison [Received as part of Cambage trade]: Though Isabelle Harrison sat out for personal medical reasons in 2018, her return could provide some depth at the center. In 2017, she averaged 11.4 PPG and 6.4 RPG.
Key Losses
Liz Cambage [Traded to the Aces]: The Dallas Wings’ biggest loss is their stat leader, Liz Cambage. Leading the team in points (23) and rebounds (9.7), Cambage was officially traded to the Las Vegas Aces last week. She ranked third in the WNBA in win shares last season (6.2), as well as top in PER (player efficiency rating). As an elite rebounder, Cambage ranks 2nd in total rebound percentage. She finished 2nd place in MVP voting last year and was voted All-WNBA First team. Liz Cambage is a game changer for any team, and the WNBA in general. Her trade request was the dominant story line of the off-season and its eventual resolution shifted the balance of power in the WNBA. It immediately rose the Aces to a title contender. Dallas has long known Cambage wouldn’t suit up for them this season, so in some ways, they were the team most prepared for this news.
What to Watch for in 2019
Losing Cambage breaks up one of the best guard-post duos in the league, however don’t count the Dallas Wings out. Forever a Final Four legend, Arike Ogunbowale has a proven track record of producing in clutch situations. With a new coach in town and a rookie to be excited about, the Dallas could see an improved home record with a good home court advantage (last year’s home record was 8–9).
The hopeful return of Skylar Diggins-Smith and the impressive rookie talent set the Dallas Wings up to be an impressive team and should help them break passed their first round curse as Brian Agler works to bring a championship culture to the team.
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