The Minnesota Lynx Bet Big on DiJonai Carrington

Some trades are ripple-makers, others make waves. The Minnesota Lynx? Well, they’re making typhoons this season. The freshly penned deal to acquire guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings is a bold statement that the 24-5 Lynx are in it to win it. And frankly, who can blame them? Carrington isn’t just another name in the WNBA roster; she’s a game-changer.

What makes this trade sizzle?

The Lynx are parting ways with forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Sure, losing Miller, a No. 2 overall pick, might sting a little, but trades like this aren’t made on sentiment. They’re made with visions of championships on the horizon. And Carrington is the kind of player who can push a team closer to that trophy.

DiJonai Carrington: A Defensive Dynamo

Let’s talk numbers. Carrington’s no rookie wandering onto the court; she’s a 5’11” guard who makes things happen. Averaging 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds (a career-high), and just over one steal per game this season, she’s a stat sheet stuffer. Oh, and that whole “WNBA Most Improved Player” title she snagged in 2024? Yeah, she’s pretty good at this basketball thing.

But Carrington isn’t just about offense. She’s a defensive workhorse with the accolades to prove it, earning a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive First Team last season. The Lynx have always prided themselves on defensive intensity, and bringing in someone like Carrington only solidifies their strategy. They know defense wins championships…and they intend to do just that.

The Lynx Aren’t Playing Around This Season

At 24-5, the Lynx have already made a statement as the WNBA’s team to beat in 2025. Adding Carrington? That’s the equivalent of turning your 100-meter dash into a relay with a turbocharged anchor leg. This trade isn’t about building for the future. It’s about dominating right now.

On the flipside, the Wings are struggling to stay afloat at 8-21, dropping eight of their last ten games. Despite their struggles, this isn’t a giveaway trade. Dallas gains Miller, a young talent with potential, and Samuelson, whose unfortunate foot surgery this year hasn’t derailed her career outlook. But make no mistake, the headline here reads “Carrington Heads to Minny.”

Teaira McCowan Cut Loose

If this trade wasn’t already shaking the league, the Wings added extra drama by waiving veteran center Teaira McCowan to finalize the deal. With averages of 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds during limited play this season, McCowan’s cut may signal the Wings are fully leaning into a rebuild centered around No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers.

Why Carrington Is the Missing Puzzle Piece