Minnesota sends DiJonai Carrington to Lynx in pursuit of basketball championship title
Dallas Wings Trade DiJonai Carrington to Minnesota Lynx for Diamond Miller and Karlie Samuelson
The Dallas Wings have traded guard DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx in a move that signals a shift in focus towards building around their No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. In exchange, the Wings have acquired forward Diamond Miller, veteran guard Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round draft pick.
During her stint with the Connecticut Sun, Carrington averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. However, in Dallas, she played nearly 30 minutes per game in a clearly defined role but struggled, with the Wings posting a -12.4 net rating in the minutes she played this season. Carrington's defensive skills, earning her the nickname "Seatbelt" for her defensive prowess, were not enough to offset her offensive struggles.
Miller, a former No. 2 overall pick with Minnesota, is seen as a talented player who could get more playing time and development opportunities in Dallas. As a rookie with the Lynx, Miller averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. However, with Carrington on the floor, the Wings allowed 110.2 points per 100 possessions, the worst defensive rating among all Dallas players logging at least 20 minutes.
The Wings are looking to build around Bueckers and focus on the future. Carrington, although the reigning Most Improved Player, had not found the expanded role she hoped for in Dallas and had recently been coming off the bench, which was an adjustment for her.
Meanwhile, Samuelson brings veteran guard depth. A career 39.2% three-point shooter, Samuelson is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery on her left foot.
From Minnesota’s perspective, acquiring Carrington enhances their defense and overall roster depth, especially given her defensive skills. Minnesota is the league-leading team aiming for trophies, so Carrington provides an immediate boost as a reliable defender and contributor.
The trade was made just days before the WNBA trade deadline. To finalize the trade, the Dallas Wings waived Teaira McCowan. The draft pick adds future assets for Dallas as they reshape their roster.
Haley Jones and Maddy Siegrist are viewed as favorable fits on the wing for the Dallas Wings. The Wings are betting on these young players to help improve their defensive ratings and contribute offensively.
[1] ESPN [2] Sports Illustrated [3] The Athletic [4] NBA.com [5] CBS Sports
- With the trading of DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx, the Dallas Wings are aiming to build their roster around the No. 1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers, in the NBA (basketball)'s women's league, the WNBA.
- Diamond Miller, the former No. 2 overall pick, has been acquired by the Dallas Wings and is expected to get more playing time, as she could potentially help strengthen the team's offense, despite having a poor defensive rating in Carrington's presence.
- Veteran guard Karlie Samuelson, who averages a career 39.2% three-point shooting percentage, has been added to the Dallas Wings roster to provide them with depth, but she is currently recovering from surgery on her left foot.
- The Lynx, the top team in the WNBA aiming for trophies, have acquired Carrington to bolster their defense and overall roster depth, utilizing her defensive skills to their advantage in their quest for championships in sports (broadly).
