Wings Trade DiJonai Carrington to Lynx: Impact on WNBA Championship Betting Odds

The first trade of the 2025 WNBA season, the Dallas Wings have shipped guard DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx, in exchange for forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and Minnesota's 2027 Second Round WNBA Draft pick. With the news, the Lynx are still heavily favored as a top championship contender.

Photo Credit: Shawn Mclurkin | Ballislife

Carrington, drafted No. 20 overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, spent the first four years of her career in Connecticut, notably winning Most Improved Player in 2024 and Sixth Woman of the Year in 2023. A crucial piece to the Sun's playoff run alongside DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, Carrington and the Sun fell short of their championship goals.

The Connecticut Sun are now in full rebuild mode after the departure of the entire starting five, including Bonner, Thomas, Carrington, and Brionna Jones. Following the departure of head coach Stephanie White to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, Carrington was moved to the Dallas Wings in a four-team trade.

DiJonai Carrington Joins The Lynx After Stints With The Sun and Wings

In the blockbuster move, Alyssa Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Mercury, Carrington and Tyasha harris were shipped to the Wings, and Jacy Sheldon, Rebecca Allen, and Natasha Cloud were traded to the Sun. In 131 regular season games, Carrington averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.

Samuelson, 30, was traded to the Minnesota Lynx from the Washington Mystics on the day of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Appearing in 16 games for the Lynx, Samuelson will miss the remainder of the 2025 season with a foot injury.

Miller, 24, was selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Hampered by injuries, Miller was limited to just 21 games in her sophomore WNBA season. She now joins a team that will continue to build around rookie superstar Paige Bueckers.

While the WNBA Championship odds have fluctuated, the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx have separated themselves from the rest. Given Caitlin Clark has been out with a groin injury, the Fever's stock has dropped a bit. Since New York signed Emma Meesseman, the Liberty remain the favorite. With the acquisition of DiJonai Carrington, the Lynx are the second favorite.

FanDuel 2025 WNBA Championship Betting Odds

Minnesota Lynx WNBA Championship Betting Odds

Odds before the season: +370
Odds after the trade: +170

Prior to the start of the 2025 WNBA season, the Minnesota Lynx had the third best bets to win the WNBA Championship behind the Liberty and and Liberty at +370.

Before acquiring Carrington, the Lynx hold a league best 24-5 record, including a 15-1 record at home. The leaders in offensive, defensive, and net rating, Minnesota has dominated the league in several facets.

In fact, they are coming off a historic 111-58 victory over the Aces, marking the largest margin of victory on the road. Handing the Aces their worst loss at home, Carrington joins a well oiled machine.

Led by head coach Cheryl Reeve, this is a Lynx team that didn't make many offseason moves. Conceding to the New York Liberty in last year's finals, it's clear the Lyxn have their sights set on winning their fifth WNBA Championship in franchise history.

The Books View The New York Liberty As The Favorites To Repeat

The reigning champion New York Liberty signed Emma Meesseman last week, and the Lynx were even +165 with New York until they captured the victory over the Connecticut Sun today. While the Liberty are elite, they have proven they are vulnerable with several injuries.

A powerhouse on both sides of the ball, this is a Lynx team led by MVP front runner Napheesa Collier. Leading the league with 87.2 points per game, the Lynx pride themselves on the defensive end. Limiting opponents to 75.4 points per game, it's more than just Collier. The Lynx bet on themselves, running with the same starting five as last season—Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, and Napheesa Collier.

The difference in this year is the bench, as the Lynx parted ways with Myisha Hines-Allen, Cecilia Zandalasini, Alissa Pili, and now Diamond Miller. With Jessica Shepard and Maria Kliundokova holding down the frontcourt on the bench, Natisha Hiedeman and DiJonai will be vital x-factors off the bench for coach Reeve. This is especially since the Lynx bench produces the sixth most points in the WNBA (21.1 PPG). If the fit is right, let's take Nyara Sabally for example. She was a crucial x-factor off the bench in last year's Finals for the New York Liberty.

What DiJonai Carrington Brings To The Lynx

At 5'11, DioJonai Carrington is a versatile guard, who's been on championship contending teams prior. Known for her defensive prowess, Dallas ultimately wasn't the right fit for both parties under head coach Chris Koclanes. In 20 games, Carrington averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. In fact, Carrington failed to make an impact on the defensive end for the Wings, and Dallas allowed 110.2 points per 100 possessions with her on the floor.

Carrington's role was vastly different in Connecticut, and she experienced time as both a starter and bench player for Koclanes. Although sustaining injuries, Carrington struggled to find consistency amongst a young and inexperienced Dallas team. Although the Wings posted a -12.4 net rating with Carrington on the floor, she brings incredible versatility, hustle, and defensive tenacity to the Lynx.

How Well Will DiJonai Carrington Fit In Cheryl Reeve's Lynx System?

The question remains, how well will Carrington fit into Reeve's system, especially a five-out offense? There's no doubt she's having a down year, shooting 35.4 percent from the field, and 26 percent from beyond the arc. Given Carrington's effectiveness to push the pace in transition sounds great on paper, especially since 14.6 percent of the Lynx's points come on the fast break.

With the season more than halfway over, DiJonai will undoubtedly fit the Lynx roster on paper. She put up career numbers in 2024, and often known as a strong on-ball defender. It comes down to, how can Carrington help the Lynx in the playoffs. When it comes to certain matchups, can she step up defensively? Her ability to guard multiple positions should provide an instant spark for the Lynx.

The Minnesota Lynx Are In Win Now Mode

Overall, Carrington can bring the defensive energy the Lynx would need to blow the Liberty, Fever, Dream, and other contenders out of the water. Having averaged 1.7 steals in last year's playoffs, how well would she fair in pivotal moments against top guards? With Samuelson out for the season, the Lynx lost a flamethrower. Although Miller is shooting over 53 percent from deep, she averaged just 9.7 minutes per game with the Lynx.

It's clear the Lynx are in win now mode, and the trade signals Minnesota was willing to add pieces to keep up with contending teams such as New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Indiana. Whether it pans out or not, the books still see the Lynx as one of the favorites, even after the trade, to win the 2025 WNBA Title. For what it's worth, Carrington can space the floor, and contain the best scorer aside from defensive juggernauts, Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier.

Even with the addition of Carrington, the books don't view her as the needle mover to beat the Liberty, who are favored to win at +155 betting odds. A member of WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024, can the Lynx bring out the best in Carrington?

What Does This Mean For The Dallas Wings Championship Odds?

The Dallas Wings have the worst betting odds to win a WNBA Championship at +50000, and I am in line with the books. Rather than a rebuild, the Wings have replaced their roster all season long. Headlined by rookie star Paige Bueckers, Samuelson will not play this season due to injury, and is a free agent next season.

Not quite in full rebuild mode, GM Curt Miller receives first and second-round picks by trading both NaLyssa Smith and Carrington. For Miller, can she return to the player we saw her rookie season. Appearing and starting in all 32 games as a rookie, Miller averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in her first season with the Lynx.

Her 3-point stats are promising, and at 6 foot 3, she has the versatility to defend and play multiple positions. A true inside out threat, it will be interesting if Miller and Maddy Siegrist will be building blocks for the future alongside Bueckers. That is, all contingent on health. Barely cracking the rotation in Minnesota, Miller could be a breakout player for Dallas.

Dallas has the toughest remaining schedule of any team, and at 8-21, I don't see this team competing for the playoffs. Set to pass their nine win total in 2024, now is the time to see which pieces may or may not fit around Bueckers.