Jun 8, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) drives to the basket ahead of Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

'W’s In The Chattttt': DiJonai Carrington Trade Sparks Wild Reaction From Lynx Star Courtney Williams

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 7:48 AM ET

DiJonai Carrington thought she’d found a long-term home when she joined the Dallas Wings in February. But just months later, she’s on the move again—this time heading to the Minnesota Lynx in a trade that left fans both celebrating and scratching their heads.

Carrington’s departure raised eyebrows, especially after Dallas made her a key piece in their offseason rebuild. But not everyone is disappointed. Lynx guard Courtney Williams, a close friend of Carrington, made her excitement clear on Instagram, writing, “W’s in the chatttt,” as news of the trade broke.

May 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) drives to the basket past Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

While Dallas secured the No. 1 overall pick in Paige Bueckers, the rest of their campaign hasn’t gone to plan. The front office is moving fast to retool the roster around their rising star—but Carrington’s exit raises the question: was it the right call?

DiJonai Carrington’s Dallas Wings Stint Falls Short of Expectations

DiJonai Carrington was acquired in a four-team deal earlier this year with the hope she’d reshape the team’s defensive identity. Wings GM Curt Miller made it clear at the time how highly they valued her.

“DiJonai was arguably the best guard defender in all the league in 2024,” Miller said. “Adding her was a top priority. We needed someone to help us remake the defensive identity of this team.”

But the results didn’t follow. The Wings finished just 10th in defensive rating. Offensively, Carrington struggled to make an impact. Among 53 WNBA players with at least 200 half-court possessions, she ranked last in points per possession (0.634 PPP), struggling as both a spot-up shooter and in pick-and-roll situations.

Jun 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) with Paige Bueckers (5) against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Head coach Chris Koclanes acknowledged her effort but hinted at inconsistency.

“[DiJonai] brings an energy that’s different from anyone else. She’s not perfect, but she plays so hard defensively and consistently runs the floor,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We need that version of her consistently.”

Now, Carrington gets a fresh start in Minnesota—on a team looking to make a deep playoff run. Whether Dallas made the right call remains to be seen, but Carrington’s fire and effort won’t be in question as she takes the next step in her WNBA journey.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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