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The Dallas Wings are making strategic roster changes as they prepare for the 2025 WNBA draft, where they hold the coveted first overall pick. In a surprising move, the team has released former center Stephanie Soares, who was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft. Soares, who was traded to the Wings on draft night, faced significant challenges, missing the entire 2023 season due to injury and only participating in 22 games during the 2024 season.

This decision is widely interpreted as a maneuver to clear space for UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers, who is projected to forgo her final year of college eligibility and enter the draft. Bueckers has been a standout player, currently averaging 22.0 points per game with an impressive 55.5% field goal percentage. As she approaches her 100th game for the Huskies, fans are eagerly anticipating her potential milestone of reaching 2,000 career points.

The reaction from fans has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment over the loss of young talent like Soares, while others recognize the strategic necessity of making room for a player of Bueckers' caliber. The Wings are clearly focused on building a competitive roster for the future, and this move signals their commitment to securing top talent in the upcoming draft.

#DallasWings,#PaigeBueckers,#WNBA,#StephanieSoares,#2025Draft