While the Dallas Wings went the expected route on draft night, their offseason moves have raised quite a few eyebrows. Their key $1.4 million decision regarding Paige Bueckers’ teammate has surprised several people, including this WNBA analyst.

As the Dallas Wings drafted Azzi Fudd as the number one pick on draft night, the Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd reunion became the hottest topic in women’s basketball. Everyone pointed to the obvious reason for the draft pick. However, the Dallas front office caught everyone by surprise by renewing Arike Ogunbowale’s contract, including WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson.

Talking to Khristina Williams on the ‘In Case You Missed It’ podcast, the college basketball expert and WNBA analyst highlighted how she was puzzled by the move, as she expected the guard to join another WNBA team this year.

“One of my biggest surprises in all these transactions was Arike coming back to Dallas. I just thought that Arike was going to get a fresh start and go somewhere else, and it was kind of time to part ways. So, that was the first thing that happened at Dallas, where I was, like, okay, what is going on in this organization?”

Arike Ogunbowale has been a cornerstone piece for the Dallas organization and deserves the multi-year, seven-figure deal with the Wings. Qualifying for a supermax deal, Ogunbowale agreed to a sum lower than the $1.4 million supermax to allow Dallas more roster flexibility, financially.

The 29-year-old has consistently come clutch for her teams, right from her NCAA title-winning run with Notre Dame to leading Mist BC to the Unrivaled trophy this year. In 2024, she became the fastest to reach 4000 WNBA points and continued to contribute heavily to the Dallas offense even after Paige Bueckers’ arrival.

The debate is still ongoing about whether the Wings picked the right player on draft night, especially with Olivia Miles and Awa Fam available on the board. But Azzi Fudd was widely seen as a potential replacement for Ogunbowale, having similar production in college basketball.

Another concern surrounding Ogunbowale is her ongoing case regarding assault charges during an incident in the afterparty of the Unrivaled Finals at nightclub E11EVEN. While the 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges, the officials have decided to move forward with them, which makes the situation tense. Ogunbowale could face multiple-game suspensions and heavy penalties depending on the case result.

However, Ogunbowale’s renewal makes sense from a league-wide perspective. Almost every franchise is stacking up on guards as they look to go small on the floor, and Ogunbowale represents a proven contributor who will help Dallas do the same. Also, new head coach Jose Fernandez prefers a high-energy style of basketball.

Having Ogunbowale will help Fernandez implement his style quicker and more efficiently, as Dallas looks to be competitive from the get-go this year.

Azzi can start slowly, coming to terms with a fresh approach after spending her entire college basketball career at UConn under Geno Auriemma’s style. Ogunbowale’s presence will also help Azzi realize what is expected of her in the long run, and the 29-year-old can mentor the number one draft pick in her first few years.

The Azzi Fudd pick, though, will provide more than just pre-existing chemistry to the Dallas franchise.

Azzi Fudd a good fit for Dallas, according to LaChina Robinson

While the pick provides more than just pre-existing chemistry, WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson thinks the team will benefit in even more ways from the UConn star.

“I like Azzi in Dallas, and what I like about her game is she doesn’t have to have the ball in her hands… Now you have a player that can cut and move in space like Azzi Fudd, and I believe that Azzi still has other layers of her game she’s getting back to. It’s well documented the injuries that she suffered at Connecticut,” Robinson highlighted before concluding, “But I believe that, because I’ve watched Azzi play for a very long time, she will continue to unlock other aspects of her game that used to be more available to her in a non-Connecticut Husky system. And so, I really like her fit.”

While new head coach Jose Fernandez is an expert in European recruitment, his decision to go with Azzi Fudd will allow him to implement his European style of basketball that champions or prioritizes quick ball movement and spacing on the floor, which Robinson also highlighted is something Fudd will add to.

Fudd’s value extends beyond the box score, but her numbers highlight an elite efficiency Dallas can build around. Her career 40% three-point shooting and 92.5% from the free-throw line will immediately space the floor for teammates, while her low foul rate and secure ball-handling suggest she can contribute mature minutes right away.

Azzi Fudd is also an able defender and is an elite two-way option for the Dallas Wings. The UConn star specializes in cutting lanes and using her physicality for more efficient defensive coverage, and will help the Wings be more solid when not in possession.

With the whole league going heavy on smalls this year, adding a talent like Azzi Fudd can go a long way to getting Dallas to compete for a playoff spot. The front office is determined to improve its results, and its latest move aligns with the season’s mission.

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