The Dallas Wings know they cannot afford to squander a talent like Paige Bueckers. Yet, despite the optimism surrounding her arrival, the team has stumbled to an 8-23 record, leaving fans disappointed and searching for solutions.
General manager Curt Miller suggests the fix may not lie in additional playing time or roster changes, but rather in reimagining Bueckers’ role on the floor. He believes the rookie standout could flourish by shifting away from being the primary ball handler, taking cues from the way the Golden State Warriors deploy Stephen Curry.
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The Dallas Wings know they can’t afford to squander a generational talent. But despite the excitement that came with drafting Paige Bueckers, the team has slid to an 8-23 record, leaving fans restless and demanding change.
General manager Curt Miller believes the solution isn’t simply adding new teammates or giving Bueckers more minutes. Instead, it could require a complete rethinking of her role on the floor.
Miller sees a model in the Golden State Warriors’ approach to Stephen Curry. Rather than handling the ball full-time, Curry thrives by moving without it, keeping defenses on edge while Draymond Green initiates much of the offense. Miller envisions a similar role for Bueckers in Dallas.
“Paige enjoys playing off the ball and then being brought back into actions, instead of being worn down by defensive point guards pressuring her full court,” Miller told the Dallas Hoops Journal. This adjustment, he says, would conserve her energy while amplifying her natural scoring instincts and movement — a shift that could help unlock her full potential.
Paige is thriving even as Dallas is sinking
Grace Berger’s usage has been pointed to as a potential model, with Bueckers expected to balance stretches of off-ball freedom with moments of on-ball control in bigger lineups. Against taller, slower-footed defenders, her speed and creativity could prove to be a devastating advantage.
Even in a turbulent season, Bueckers’ rookie year has already shown glimpses of the dominance that made her such a highly coveted draft pick. If Miller’s strategy pays off, what has been a frustrating campaign for Dallas could instead serve as the groundwork for building a future contender.
