News Summary
The Minnesota Lynx have strengthened their roster by trading for guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings ahead of the WNBA trade deadline. In return, the Lynx sent forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and a second-round pick in the 2027 draft. Carrington, last season’s Most Improved Player, aims to boost the Lynx’s playoff ambitions as they lead the standings. Concerns about leading scorer Napheesa Collier’s injury add complexity to the Lynx’s pursuit of a championship run.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Lynx have traded for guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings ahead of the WNBA trade deadline on Thursday. This key move reinforces the Lynx’s ambitions for a championship run this season.
In exchange for Carrington, the Lynx sent forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and a second-round pick in the 2027 draft to the Wings. Carrington, who stands at 5-foot-11, was the WNBA’s Most Improved Player last season and has established herself as one of the league’s top defensive guards. During her time with the Wings, she averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
The Lynx are currently atop the WNBA standings with an impressive record of 24-5, placing them six games ahead of the second-place New York Liberty. This strong performance has set the stage for a competitive playoff run. However, concerns have arisen regarding the availability of Napheesa Collier, the Lynx’s leading scorer at 23.5 points per game, who recently suffered a sprained ankle.
Carrington joins the Lynx after spending her first season with the Dallas Wings, following a sign-and-trade move from the Connecticut Sun. While with the Sun, she received recognition for her defensive capabilities, earning a spot on the All-Defensive first team and garnering votes for the Defensive Player of the Year. Despite struggling this season with a shooting percentage of 35.4% from the field, the Lynx hope she will regain her form with a more competitive team around her.
On the other side of the trade, the Dallas Wings are looking to the future as they plan to build their roster around their newly acquired No. 1 overall draft pick, Paige Bueckers. In the trade, they secure Diamond Miller, the second overall pick from the 2023 draft. However, Miller has had limited playing time, averaging only 4.1 points per game, and has faced challenges with injuries that have hindered her progress since her rookie season.
Karlie Samuelson, who played 16 games for the Lynx prior to the trade, is sidelined for the season following surgery for a foot injury. To accommodate the trade, the Wings have waived veteran center Teaira McCowan. This significant adjustment is seen as part of their strategy to reshape their team dynamics and focus on long-term success.
The trade is being analyzed for its potential impact on playoff matchups, especially with the defending champion New York Liberty looming in the background. With Carrington’s defensive strengths, the Lynx anticipate that her presence may lessen the offensive burden on fellow guard Kayla McBride.
Analysts have graded the trade positively for both teams, awarding the Lynx an A- for their acquisition of Carrington, while the Wings received a B for their return package. The Lynx’s pursuit of defensive and playoff prowess through this acquisition has injected optimism and depth into their roster as they gear up for the postseason.
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Additional Resources
- Star Tribune: Lynx Add DiJonai Carrington
- Wikipedia: WNBA
- Bleacher Report: DiJonai Carrington Traded
- Google Search: DiJonai Carrington
- Dallas News: Who is Diamond Miller
- Google Scholar: WNBA trade
- ESPN: Lynx Trade for DiJonai Carrington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA History
- Lynx WNBA: Acquire DiJonai Carrington
- Google News: WNBA trade deadline
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