About a month after the Dallas Wings kicked off their trading season by sending Narissa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick, they made another significant trade just before the 2025 deadline on August 7th. The Wings traded Dihony Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx, acquiring Diamond Miller, Carly Samuelson, and Minnesota’s 2027 second-round pick in return.
This trade follows Dallas acquiring Carrington through a multi-team deal involving Satou Sabbary moving to Phoenix after five seasons with the Wings. During her 20 games with Dallas, Carrington averaged 10.4 points, 1.6 combined steals and blocks, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 26% from three-point range and 35.4% overall. Carrington, who was named the most improved player of 2024, is in the final year of her contract and expected to become a free agent after this season.
In exchange, Dallas gains Miller, who was the second overall pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft. Miller started all 32 games she played in 2023 and has consistently been a starter in the past two seasons, averaging 9.9 minutes per game recently. The Lynx are anticipated to use Carrington off the bench to maintain the starting spot for sharpshooter Bridget Carlton. Minnesota’s starting five—Carlton, Courtney Williams, Nafisa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Alana Smith—ranks fourth in net and offensive rating among five-player lineups in the league, while Carrington is expected to contribute off the bench alongside Nazi Shaheman and Jessica Shepherd.
Furthermore, as part of the deal, Dallas has waived Teela McCowan, who will become a free agent if not claimed by another team within 48 hours.
Fan Take: This trade highlights the dynamic nature of the WNBA and how teams are constantly reshaping to maximize potential. For fans, it underscores the strategic moves teams make to strengthen rosters, promising even more exciting and competitive seasons ahead.