The Dallas Wings gained the WNBA Draft Lottery — and their newly-hired normal supervisor, Curt Miller, couldn’t be happier.
Miller, who was fired from his function as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks in September, addressed the media for the primary time since his hiring, just some minutes after the lottery balls indicated that the Wings had secured the No. 1 decide, and an opportunity at College of Connecticut standout Paige Bueckers.
“What an thrilling day for the Dallas Wings,” mentioned Miller, beaming in his digital availability.
Miller disclosed was having a horrible day of journey on Sunday — his flight was cancelled and delayed, he acquired caught in Los Angeles, and needed to scramble to look at the lottery on the workplace of considered one of his long-time assistant coaches.
“We talked about if that is the one unhealthy factor that occurred at present, it will be a fantastic day,” Miller mentioned.
And that it was. His brand-new franchise edged out his earlier one for the highly-anticipated probability to pick Bueckers. The Los Angeles Sparks earned the No. 2 decide, the Chicago Sky acquired No. 3, and the Washington Mystics acquired No. 4. The Sparks, who had the worst cumulative file these previous two seasons, as soon as once more fall simply wanting the highest decide.
Miller seemingly took a playful jab at his former staff upon studying the Wings earned the highest choice, posting a GIF that learn “How do you want them apples?” on X/Twitter.
How the No. 1 decide performs into the Dallas Wings’ head coach search
Miller is within the midst of trying to find a brand new head coach for the franchise, and mentioned that the actual fact Dallas gained the lottery will solely assist his search. The group parted methods with Latricia Trammell final month after two seasons with the group.
Now, Dallas immediately turns into a extra enticing vacation spot for top-end teaching expertise.
“It’s such an energizing day already — what a primary decide does to your fanbase, it energizes your staff,” Miller mentioned. “For somebody like myself who’s simply began the pinnacle teaching search, what a chance to be out speaking to go teaching candidates to take over the Dallas Wings teaching job, understanding that we now have the upcoming No. 1 decide.”
The Wings are considered one of 4 WNBA groups at present looking for a brand new head coach — the Sparks, Mystics, and Connecticut Solar are additionally all nonetheless hunt. A number of teaching vacancies throughout the league have already been stuffed; the Indiana Fever employed Stephanie White earlier this month, the Sky employed Tyler Marsh, and the Atlanta Dream employed Karl Smesko.
It’s been well-reported that WNBA teaching positions have drawn curiosity from the broader basketball group, together with NBA and collegiate circles.
“I can’t start to let you know the curiosity coming from, not solely WNBA, however exterior of WNBA, such as you’ve by no means seen earlier than,” Miller mentioned. “That is solely going to extend it.”
What the Wings are searching for with the highest decide
In his first media availability, Miller didn’t share any specifics about which participant the Wings are at present eyeing, however he did emphasize that staff tradition was entrance of thoughts.
“I nonetheless consider very a lot within the philosophy that championships are gained within the locker room and with tradition,” Miller mentioned. “And so, including a tradition piece, somebody that’s going so as to add to the locker room, goes to be such an enormous deal.”
He additionally famous that he wasn’t going to be teaching the Wings, and that the brand new draft choice will probably be determined upon in unison with the brand new rent.
“It’s now not a staff that I’m teaching,” mentioned Miller, who’s been a head coach since 2001. “I’ve a brand new function to essentially assist the pinnacle coach, hearken to the pinnacle coach on the model and qualities that they’re searching for in gamers.”
Bueckers is broadly anticipated to go at No. 1. If she does, she’d be paired with Wings’ guard Arike Ogunbowale, who has been with the group for six seasons and is the franchise’s all-time main scorer. Ogunbowale was the league’s second-leading scorer in 2024, averaging 22.2 factors per recreation.
Miller mentioned on the time of his media availability, the one individual he had texted again was Ogunbowale, who was thrilled the franchise gained the Draft Lottery and turned to social media to specific her pleasure.
I simply fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD!
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) November 17, 2024
Final season, the Wings completed with the second-worst file within the league at 9-31, only a season after making the playoffs with a 22-18 file. The staff was riddled with accidents and underperformed in comparison with expectations.
Outdoors of the pinnacle coach search, the main offseason query is whether or not ahead Satou Sabally will re-sign in Dallas; Sabally, who was one of many league’s finest gamers in 2023, is considered one of this winter’s most highly-coveted free brokers.
Miller was requested about how the choice would possibly influence the possibility Sabally would re-sign, however didn’t get into any specifics.
“Every dialogue is vital — not yet another than one other — however clearly, can’t wait to speak to the staff and discuss what this does,” he mentioned.
Regardless, Miller mentioned the Wings will prioritize tradition and character in solidifying the 2025 roster, which has but to come back collectively.
“You’re going to listen to it time and again — tradition gamers, gamers that play unselfishly, gamers that give it some thought being greater than themselves, and placing collectively a roster, not solely with this No. 1 decide, however filling out the roster with unselfish, excessive character gamers that play a enjoyable, up-tempo model,” Miller mentioned.