Dallas Wings draft needs season preview: Four first round picks means plenty of options

12:00 p.m. 4/15: The Wings sent guard Tayler Hill along with the 9th and 15th pick in the draft to the New York Liberty, in exchange for the Washington’s first round pick in 2021 and New York’s second round pick in 2021.

It’s not often in American professional sports where one team dominates the first round of a draft as much as the Dallas Wings do in 2020. They have four first-round picks, selecting at No. 2, 5, 7, and 9. If there’s a player they really like, as long as it’s not Sabrina Ionescu, they’ll have her. If they want to put together a package and get some immediate help, they can do that too and still have plenty of ammunition left over.

And it’s a good thing too as the Wings went 10-24 last season, finishing next to last in the WNBA in both defensive and offensive efficiency. They traded Skylar Diggins-Smith to Phoenix for the 5th and 7th overall pick this year, as well as a first-rounder in 2021. SkyDigg missed last season on maternity leave, but that gave more opportunity for Arike Ogunbowale to develop, and she’s a nice young backcourt piece to build around for the future.

WNBA title odds: 50/1 (DraftKings Sportsbook projected odds)

Offseason moves

The Wings gave up their first rounder in 2021 for the 6’5 Astou Ndour from Chicago, who was 14/33 from three-point range in 21 games for the Sky last season. The trade of former UConn teammates Azura Stevens and Katie Lou Samuelson makes sense for both teams due to their fit and rosters.

Additions

Astou Ndour (sign and trade with Chicago)
Katie Lou Samuelson (trade with Chicago)
Marina Mabrey (trade with Los Angeles)

Departures

Azura Stevens (for Katie Lou Samuelson to Chicago)
Imani McGee-Stafford (law school)

2020 WNBA Draft

Picks

1st round, #2 overall
1st round, #5 overall
1st round, #7 overall
1st round, #9 overall
2nd round, #15 overall
2nd round, #21 overall
No 3rd round

Needs

Bigs would be helpful, and fortunately for the Wings there are plenty available. Lauren Cox from Baylor is the hometown girl and fills a need, but Satou Sabally of Oregon is almost a lock for the No. 2 selection. If Cox or Chennedy Carter from Texas A&M somehow fell to No. 5, high-five the commissioner before you turn in your card and grab her.

Bella Alarie is a stretch 4/5 that will get a lot less attention from defenses here than she did at Princeton, and would be a nice fit at No. 7 or 9. So too would Crystal Dangerfield, who’s a waterbug on both ends of the floor, or her UConn teammate Megan Walker.

Having all the picks is a great luxury, but making a move here might not be the worst idea for the Wings as the selections don’t perfectly line up with players that can immediately fill their needs outside of Sabally. Don’t be surprised if a deal gets swung during or just after Draft Night.