Dallas Wings Select Azzi Fudd No. 1: Impact on 2026 WNBA Championship Odds

The 2026 WNBA Draft came and went, and the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd out of UConn No. 1 overall. Fudd reunited with former teammate Paige Bueckers, and Dallas will begin training camp today. Let's take a look at how the addition of Fudd and several free agents shifts the Wings' 2026 WNBA championship odds.

(Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)

While draft choice came with scrutiny from local Dallas reporters, Fudd was the top choice for Dallas, and brings the intangibles, such as locker room presence and a winning mentality, to the team.

In addition to Fudd, the Wings drafted Zee Spearman out of Tennessee.

It's been a decade since the Wings moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have yet to win a championship as the Dallas Wings. For those who may know, this team's WNBA pipeline began as the Detroit Shock, which won three WNBA championships from 2003 to 2008.

Since the team's arrival in Dallas, the team has undergone several head coaching and personnel changes, such as Brian Agler, Vickie Johnson, Latricia Trammell, and Chris Koclanes. With Curt Miller as GM and Jose Fernandez as the newest head coach, Dallas aims to revive the franchise and compete with the top teams (Aces, Liberty).

Dallas Wings Select Azzi Fudd No. 1 Overall in 2026 WNBA Draft

While it's been a tumultuous few seasons in Dallas, they earned back-to-back No. 1 overall picks, selecting Bueckers and Fudd to redefine their organization.

Although the NCAA Tournament was not kind to Fudd, she averaged a career-best 17.3 points, shooting 48.1% from the field, 44.7% from beyond the arc, and 95.5% from the free-throw line. Prevailing through previous injuries, Fudd cemented herself in Storrs, Connecticut, as one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all time.

Fudd finished her UConn career with 1,687 total career points and ranks fifth all-time in 3-pointers (292), and leads the Huskies in all-time free-throw percentage (92.5%).

The Wings have a 19-65 cumulative record over the last two seasons and have finished far from playoff contention. Heading into 2026, the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, and Indiana Fever are top contenders per oddsmakers. Let's break down the Dallas Wings roster and how their title odds are shaping up for 2026.

2026 WNBA Championship Odds (FanDuel)

• New York Liberty: +220
• Las Vegas Aces: +460
• Indiana Fever: +470
• Atlanta Dream: +600
• Minnesota Lynx: +800
• Los Angeles Sparks: +1500
• Phoenix Mercury: +2200
• Dallas Wings: +4000 
• Golden State Valkyries: +4000
• Chicago Sky: +10000
• Toronto Tempo: +12500
• Washington Mystics: +15000
• Seattle Storm: +25000
• Connecticut Sun: +50000
• Portland Fire: +50000

*Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*

Dallas Wings +4000

There's no question that the Wings improved their roster drastically from last season. The 2025 season headlined Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Arike Ogunbowale.

Overall, Dallas was one of the least efficient teams on both sides of the ball, ranking No. 9 in offensive rating (101.6) and No. 12 in defensive rating (109.1). Although Bueckers shone and earned Rookie of the Year honors, the Wings were plagued by injuries, dealt with hardship contracts, and eventually traded Carrington and Smith.

That 10-34 record granted them the No. 1 pick in Fudd, in addition to re-signing Arike Ogunbowale, who's been with the team since 2019. As a result of a historic collective bargaining agreement, the Wings invested millions of dollars. In free agency, Dallas bolstered its frontcourt by signing Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard. They even added veteran pieces such as Alysha Clark and Odyssey Sims.

Dallas was one of the more efficient teams on the glass last year (35.4 RPG), which has been the case in years past. Smith and Shepard not only bring size, but rim protection that Dallas has so badly needed. Last year, they allowed 35.8 paint points per game. This year, Dallas has considerable frontcourt depth with Li Yueru and Awak Kuier, who could find herself playing more of the three this season.

The Wings already had Bueckers, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinerly secured on rookie contracts, so the room to improve in certain areas was crucial. Not only did the Wings add size, but they also upgraded their perimeter offense.

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How Fudd, Free Agents Impact Championship Odds

It was evident that Ogunbowale wasn't as healthy last year, and should split on-ball duties with Bueckers. And while some questioned the fit, Fudd fits perfectly alongside two ball-dominant guards. This has the potential to become a lethal three-guard lineup, and why wouldn't the Wings add a perennial shooter?

Last season, Dallas ranked second-lowest in 3-point percentage (30.4%) and made just 6.6 3-pointers per game.  Adding Fudd immediately adds 3-point prowess, spacing, and a player who has timely cuts. During her time at UConn, Fudd missed just 10 free throws and led the nation in 2025 with 117 3-pointers. In her collegiate career, she shot 42.2% from downtown.

Fernandez mentioned the possible lineup combinations, and the Wings will have more versatility and depth, something they did not have last year. Depending on who makes the roster, this team should produce more offense, and both Smith and Fudd are immediate upgrades on the defensive end.

In reality, the Wings added an NCAA Champion, MOP, and First-Team All-American in Fudd. Plus, they added former Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Smith. Through the right actions and schemes, the presence of size and pick-and-rolls will open the perimeter for Fudd and the team.

Dallas Wings a Playoff Team?

Dallas added enough pieces to make them playoff contenders, on paper at least. Oddsmakers have the Wings favored to win under 21.5 games this season, but we saw what the Fever accomplished without Caitlin Clark last season, right?

Oddsmakers also have the Wings to make the playoffs at -130 odds, and Dallas has made the leap in terms of whether they are true contenders. Teams like the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Indiana Fever were rather unaffected by the new CBA. All three teams retained their cores, and somehow, the Liberty bolstered their roster further with Satou Sabally.

It's hard to say whether the Dallas Wings are top contenders, but they added pieces to further solidify their roster rebuild. A player I would expect to take a leap this season would be Maddy Siegrist, who brings size and scoring.

Overall, Dallas has the eighth-best odds to win the 2026 WNBA Championship. The task is tall, especially since the Atlanta Dream additionally retained their core and acquired Angel Reese. At +4000 odds, the Wings have just a 2.4% implied chance to win it all. If you were to bet $10 in the Wings to win it all, the payout would be $410 in total.

Historically, teams with back-to-back draft picks have been successful. Look at the Aces, who drafted Kelsey Plum No. 1 in 2017, A'ja Wilson No. 1 in 2018, and Jackie Young No. 1 in 2018. Since the Aces won two titles with all three players and three with Wilson and Young.

Heading into training camp, Fernandez made the Wings' intentions very clear on X.

"It's a new day in Dallas. Championship Standards in everything we do."