Report: DiJonai Carrington Traded to Wings from Sun amid 2025 WNBA Free Agency

The Dallas Wings are working on a deal to acquire guard DiJonai Carrington and the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft from the Connecticut Sun, according to Winsidr's Rachel Galligan and ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

The Sun would receive the No. 8 pick and guard Jacy Sheldon.

The Sun appear to be embracing a total rebuild. They're reportedly sending three-time All-WNBA honoree Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris to the Phoenix Mercury. Brionna Jones is on her way to the Atlanta Dream. DeWanna Bonner is also an unrestricted free agent.

It's looking increasingly likely Connecticut will have to replace its entire starting five from 2024.

The Sun became a perennial contender under head coaches Curt Miller and Stephanie White. But that success might have papered over larger cracks within the organization that are becoming harder and harder to ignore.

The Wings, meanwhile, are looking to lay a strong foundation ahead of what could be a pivotal moment in the long-term direction of the franchise.

Dallas won the 2025 draft lottery, which means gaining the opportunity to pick UConn star Paige Bueckers. Assuming she declares for the draft and doesn't execute a power play to land with a different team, Bueckers is the kind of cornerstone the Wings have lacked ever since their run as the Detroit Shock ended in 2009 and they relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Satou Sabally, Dallas' best player, is joining Thomas in Phoenix, but general manager Curt Miller made the best of his limited trade leverage. Acquiring Harris and Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith was a nice piece of business all things considered.

Now, the Wings are getting the WNBA's Most Improved Player winner and a member of the All-Defensive team from last season. Carrington averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 39 appearances with Connecticut.

Carrington will be a great complement in a backcourt that already has Arike Ogunbowale and could include Bueckers. Ogunbowale has never been a great defender, and Bueckers will inevitably struggle at that end of the floor as a rookie.

The Wings now have a player they can match up against an opponent's best scoring threat on the perimeter. They shouldn't finish with the league's worst defensive rating for the second year in a row.

Dallas' offseason hinges largely on what Bueckers decides. Even if the worst-case scenario comes to pass and she doesn't wind up on the Wings, Miller and first-year head coach Chris Koclanes have already addressed one of the roster's biggest flaws.