Paige Bueckers left without mentors in Dallas, facing the challenge of solo leadership

Just one season into her WNBA career, Paige Bueckers has gone from being the darling of the Dallas Wings locker room to leading on her own. This is a team that reinvents itself from game to game. What started as a promising debut — surrounded by veteran support from NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington — quickly turned into a character test.

In this context, Marca highlighted the emotional toll these recent trades have taken on the young star. Smith and Carrington weren’t just key players for Dallas Wings. They were the invisible support helping Paige Bueckers adjust to the demands of professional basketball. “They adopted me like I was their daughter,” Paige shared in a recent interview, where she also admitted feeling thrown off by the sudden separation.

Trades and stats

With Smith now shining in Las Vegas and Carrington energizing Minnesota’s bench, Paige Bueckers faces new territory — the court without her co-pilots. Their individual stats with their new teams reflect just how impactful they are. Carrington posted 13 points in her debut with the Lynx, while Smith has settled into rhythm with the Aces, averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Paige Bueckers, on the other hand, doesn’t have the luxury of stepping away. Her mission is to build from within. And she’s doing it. With a young roster and little playoff experience, the former UConn superstar is starting to take on roles she once observed from the sidelines.

More pressure

The journey of Paige Bueckers in Dallas Wings now reads like a metaphor for many WNBA rookies. Plenty come in under a bubble of expectations, but quickly face the chaos of trades, injuries, and shifting dynamics. What sets her apart could be her resilience and growing voice.

And the emotional bond between Paige Bueckers and her “adoptive parents” remains strong. On social media, Carrington replied to Paige’s tribute with a short but touching message. “Our little one forever frfr.” Beyond the hardwood, there are connections that ignore logos and contracts.

our babygirl forever 🩷 frfr https://t.co/9Mi9w1Wsrh

— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) August 6, 2025

The Wings still haven’t found their definitive identity, but the process is underway. And in the heart of the rebuild, Paige Bueckers leads the charge.