The Dallas Wings had a good season last year where they made the playoffs. It was the season of Liz Cambage where she set WNBA records. Her combination with Skylar Diggins-Smith was something to behold. This season Cambage may not return and Diggins-Smith is pregnant.
Can the Dallas Wings have a quiet offseason which allows them to build on the momentum they built the season before. Liz Cambage, easily one of the top five players in the world may not return. Franchise player Skylar Diggins-Smith announced her pregnancy in the offseason and it will be interesting to see how she comes back.
The Wings have the chance to keep a decent core together, assuming Cambage comes back, which new coach Brian Agler will be hoping. Here is the list of players who are coming back for the Wings.
On contract
Liz Cambage – The question on most WNBA fans lips is whether the Australian superstar will be back this season or not. She is a force to be reckoned with and coach Agler will be able to get the most out of her. It all comes down to if she comes back.
Kaela Davis – Coming in to the third year of her rookie contract, Davis was solid but inefficient from the floor. Depending on how the Wings go in free agency or the draft, Davis may be waived before the season.
Skylar Diggins-Smith – The franchise star will miss the first part of the season, possibly the whole season thanks to her pregnancy.
Aliisha Gray – The 2017 rookie of the year appeared to struggle a little with her reduced role. As a result her shooting from deep was poor, going at 27.0 percent on the season. Expect her to improve again this year when she has greater responsibility without Diggins-Smith.
Tayler Hill – After being traded from the Washington Mystics, Hill struggled which is not unexpected since she had to return from injury into a new system. She will be better for having an offseason to work on her game.
Theresa Plaisance – The sharp shooting big, Plaisance could have a much larger role if Cambage does not come back. Plaisance hit 47.4 percent of her attempts from deep last season.
Azura Stevens – Do not let the 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game fool you, Stevens had a huge impact on the court last season and did something which should scare the rest of the league, she learnt of Liz Cambage. Expect Most Improved Numbers for Stevens next season especially if Cambage does not come back.
Free agents to be re-signed
The Wings have five players off contract this season. Not all of them will be re-signed with the franchise needing to improve from last season. All signings are conditional with Cambage re-signing. They have about 370,000 in salary cap space.
Karima Christmas-Kelly – Only player six games at the start of the season due to injury. Christmas-Kelly is a vital floor-spacing wing who makes life easier for the big’s.
Cayla George – The second Australian big in the Wings lineup last season, George has a connection with Cambage which the Wings can exploit. With George playing high and Cambage playing low, very few national teams can beat the Australian Opals. The Wings would like the same results.
Glory Johnson – After being cored, the Wings have shown just how important Johnson is to the structure of the team. The veteran provides what the team needs, when the team needs it.
Kayla Thornton – Played all 34 games last season, starting 32. She came into her own after the injury to Christmas-Kelly. Thornton will provide quality minutes off the bench, strengthening the lineup.
Unlikely to be re-signed
Leticia Romero – After starting the season with the Connecticut Sun, Romero played a small role with the Wings in 21 games. There is a caveat that if they cannot sign a better point guard to replace Diggins-Smith output at the start of the season, Romero could be re-signed.
The Wings really need the skills of Cambage next season, her presence could mean the difference between first and last. If she does not return, expect the Wings to be aggressive in free agency.
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