The concerning trend around Paige Bueckers and the new-look Wings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Wings made a lot of changes this offseason in a bid to return to relevance, let alone contention, following two difficult seasons.
While the Wings' 2024 and 2025 nightmares did net the franchise two no.1 overall draft picks, Dallas is already facing scrutiny as a third head coach in three years is trying to make the pieces — old and new — fit together.
MORE: Paige Bueckers delivered another ‘welcome to the WNBA’ moment against Dream
Jose Fernandez and the Wings organization already have taken heat online for their plan to ease Azzi Fudd into WNBA readiness, with some saying that the franchise should not have taken Fudd first overall if she wasn't ready to contribute immediately.
But there may be concern bubbling under the surface with Paige Bueckers, who endured a tough game (by her high standards) as the Wings lost to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night.
Bueckers scored 15 points on 12 shots in a defensive struggle, where the Wings scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter of a 77-72 loss in their home opener.
In isolation, a loss to the Dream isn't a bad thing. Atlanta is a genuine contender to win it all this season, while Dallas is still building its own juggernaut.
What might concern Wings fans though is Bueckers' low usage rate. When the second-year All-Star is on the floor, she has just an 18.3 percent usage rate, meaning only 18 percent of Dallas' possessions end with her finishing an offensive play.
Bueckers' usage rate through two games is just fifth among all Wings players — well behind Arike Ogunbowale, young guard Aziaha James and veteran guard Odyssey Sims, as well as center Alanna Smith.
Granted, it's only two games. Dallas endured major roster turnover in the summer, and the truncated offseason — as a result of lengthy CBA negotiations — means that every team will have kinks to work out in the first weeks.
But Bueckers' all-around impact, so often on display in her rookie season, merits heavier usage in the weeks and months ahead.
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