The Minnesota Lynx have made their first major move of the season by acquiring DiJonai Carrington, the 2024 Most Improved Player winner, in a trade with the Dallas Wings.
The Wings announced Sunday that they had traded Carrington to the Lynx in exchange for forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick. This move should give the Lynx an added layer of defense, as Carrington averaged 1.1 steals per game with the Wings.
Carrington’s offense, however, was a major liability for the Wings, shooting just 35.4% from the field. But playing on a better team may help her improve in this area. The Lynx are already one of the top defensive teams in the league and have set their sights on dethroning the reigning champion New York Liberty.
The trade is a significant admission that the Wings’ season hasn’t been going according to plan, as they sit at 8-21 and are six games back of the final playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Lynx continue to roll with a 24-5 start and seem poised to make a deep postseason run.
The trade also provides an opportunity for Miller to find her footing in a new system. She was the No. 2 overall pick in 2023 but has averaged just 3.5 points per game over the past two seasons. Playing on a team that’s not focused on short-term results may help her tap into her untapped potential.
Miller will be an important player to watch as she becomes eligible for restricted free agency in 2027. The trade also gives the Lynx control over one of the league’s top young players, which could pay dividends in the long run.
Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25231831-dijonai-carrington-traded-lynx-diamond-miller-samuelson-wnba-draft-pick-wings