On August 3, 2025, the Minnesota Lynx, league leaders at 24–5, orchestrated one of the sharpest moves before the WNBA trade deadline by acquiring guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings. In return, Dallas receives forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and Minnesota’s 2027 second-round draft pick. As part of the deal, the Wings waived center Teaira McCowan, keeping within roster limits.
Carrington, 27, was named the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player and earned a spot on the All‑Defensive First Team last year . She arrives in Minnesota after posting solid numbers—10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 20 appearances with Dallas this season.
What Minnesota Gains
For the Lynx, the move checks several boxes:
- Backcourt depth and defensive grit: Carrington brings two-way energy off the bench or as a spot starter if needed. Her defensive IQ and versatility across positions mean she slides into coach Cheryl Reeve’s rotation seamlessly.
- Title-tilting upgrade: With Minnesota ranked atop the standings and hunger to close out after last season’s Finals loss, adding Carrington is a clear statement of intent. Multiple analysts graded the deal positively for Minnesota, citing improved perimeter defense and cohesion around stars like Napheesa Collier.
- Experience and poise: Formerly with the Sun during deep postseason runs, Carrington brings playoff grit that a close-knit, veteran-forward Lynx value highly.
Dallas’s Calculated Exit
While contributors may mourn Carrington’s departure, Dallas’s front office framed the trade around long-term growth:
- Rising youth with upside: Diamond Miller, the 2023 No. 2 overall pick, struggled for minutes in Minnesota but rebounds to a fresh opportunity in Dallas, where her athleticism and shooting can be featured more prominently.
- Roster flexibility: Including Karlie Samuelson—though sidelined with foot surgery—helped match contracts and buffer financial commitments. Waiving McCowan made room under the cap.
- Rebuild vision around Paige Bueckers: With the Wings sitting at 8–21, the trade aligns with a youth-first strategy, aiming to develop players like Miller while accumulating future draft assets.
Immediate Fit and Role Projection
Carrington’s baseline-stopping skills and adaptability to guard multiple positions give Minnesota match-up versatility. She is expected to come off the bench, providing athletic rim protection and transition play. With Kristi Toliver and Elissa Cunane injured or inconsistent, Carrington’s addition helps fill a guard rotation spot with dependable minutes. Some fan analysts suggest she may even displace Bridget Carleton in rotation—depending on matchups.
For Dallas, the coaching staff envisions Miller growing into a larger offensive role, while Samuelson, once healthy, serves as a veteran stabilizer. The 2027 second-round pick also provides flexibility in future trades or roster-building.
Deadline Push and Strategic Timing
This move comes on the same day WNBA trade deadline officially closes (August 7, 3 p.m. ET), making it strategically timed to lock Minnesota’s core before postseason seeding. With Carrington in place, the Lynx added a useful piece without sacrificing rotation readymates—ensuring chemistry stays stable while strengthening depth.
Dallas’s front office clearly views their playoff chances as remote given current standings and pressure to maximize assets for long-term growth. Offloading a veteran contract from Teaira McCowan (waived with salary retained) helped clear room for younger players and future signings.
Trade Grade
- Minnesota Lynx: A+ — immediate impact, low future cost, championship reinforcement.
- Dallas Wings: B — exposure and opportunity for Miller, draft capital preserved, but lose a proven two-way performer.
Overall, analysts generally rated it a win–win: Minnesota positions itself to take the final step in what has been a highly-touted season, while Dallas doubles down on tournament lottery positioning and player stockpiling.
Fan Reaction
Reddit’s r/wnba community burst into excitement as the trade broke. One fan wrote:
“Holy hell. I didn’t think we were actually going to get a trade.”
Others praised the balanced nature of the deal:
“Kinda feels like a win for everyone. Dijonai gets to play for a contender. Diamond gets more playing time. Lynx get another solid player for the guard rotation. Dallas gets a shot at a player who’s shown some flashes of being special.”
Looking Ahead
- The **Lynx host the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in their next game, expected to be Carrington’s debut in Minnesota colours.
- Dallas resumes host duties to the Lynx on August 17, where fans will see how both sides adjusted to a key personnel swap mid-season.
- The final stretch before the trade deadline will see if the Lynx pursue another move—perhaps a veteran center to complement Collier and Rachel Banham—or further deepen wings rotation with Sharpshooters.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Lynx’s acquisition of DiJonai Carrington was a deadline-day coup—balancing championship urgency with low risk. Dallas Wings embrace youth and future flexibility, while Minnesota closes the gap in backcourt depth and defensive intensity. Whether this trade becomes a defining moment in the Lynx’s title chase—or a springboard for Miller in Dallas—the WNBA landscape has just shifted in intriguing ways.
