NBA icon Magic Johnson recently shared his thoughts on Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers through social media.
When looking at the 2025 WNBA Draft lottery, the Los Angeles Sparks appeared to be in the best position to land the No. 1 overall pick, holding the highest single-team odds at 44.2%. But the situation was more complicated than it looked.
The Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky were right behind them with the next-best chances — 27.6% for Dallas and 17.8% for Chicago — to grab the top selection, which was widely expected to be Bueckers, fresh off leading UConn to a national championship.
The key twist came from a trade made before the 2023 WNBA season. The Wings dealt Marina Mabrey to the Sky in a four-team deal, but as part of the return, Dallas secured the right to swap 2025 first-round picks with Chicago. That meant if Chicago won the lottery, Dallas would automatically inherit the No. 1 pick.
By combining their own odds with Chicago’s, the Wings effectively held a 45.4% chance of landing the top spot — edging out Los Angeles. In the end, the strategy paid off, as Dallas secured the No. 1 pick and selected Paige Bueckers.
Magic Johnson’s Paige Bueckers Stance Makes Sense
Paige Bueckers has wasted no time making her mark in the WNBA. The Dallas Wings rookie is putting together a spectacular 2025 season, highlighted by her 44-point outburst against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 20.
The performance not only set a new record for the most points ever scored by a rookie in league history, but also marked the highest single-game total by any player this season. It even prompted NBA legend — and Sparks co-owner — Magic Johnson to post on X:
“I have to give Paige Bueckers some love for hitting 44 points in last night’s game, the most points by a rookie in WNBA history and the most points in a game by any player this season! 🔥”
Johnson’s praise made it clear how highly he values Bueckers’ skillset. And understandably so — she has already shown that she’s among the most dynamic guards in the league, capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor.
Still, one has to wonder if Magic feels a bit of regret that Los Angeles missed out on drafting Bueckers in the most recent WNBA Draft. Even so, the Sparks aren’t exactly empty-handed. They landed All-Star guard Kelsey Plum in a blockbuster trade earlier this year and are pushing to make their first playoff appearance since 2020.
