When the Dallas Wings drafted UConn star Azzi Fudd with the No.1 pick in the WNBA Draft. In pairing her with point guard and former college teammate Paige Bueckers, Wings management probably thought that the duo would be the cornerstone of the franchise’s competitive construction.
Dallas chose Fudd over TCU Olivia Miles, who looks like the presumed Rookie of the Year. Fudd recently suffered a season-ending knee injury that will keep her out until next season.
WNBA Social Media Widely Praised Dallas Wings Signing Kitija Laksa
With the Wings in the No.8 playoff spot, they have no time to mourn or grieve Fudd’s loss. Faced with a tough first-round matchup regardless of who they play, Dallas decided to make a move. Under those circumstances, they brought in a veteran who social media widely praised.
After losing Fudd to injury, Dallas signed veteran wing Kitija Laksa. At 30, the former Phoenix Mercury reserve doesn’t have the speed or quickness the team lost with Fudd, but she still has the international experience and poise to help Dallas attempt to wreak havoc in the WNBA postseason. Social media celebrated the move, while some expressed reservations.
“@DallasWings Another guard…” stated one X user.
Currently, Jessica Shepard is the only front-court player who poses any semblance of a scoring threat, averaging 14.2 points per game. Additionally, at 30, Laksa joins what amounts to an older Wings team, with five players 28 years or older. Laksa may not be a marquee choice, but she does have supporters.
Kitija Laksa is a good pickup for the Dallas Wings.
— Uzo (Amarachi) (@amarachidesi) August 25, 2026
” Kitija Laksa is a good pickup for the Dallas Wings,” added another X user. Bueckers is a ball-handler and facilitator who needs help both inside and out. With Fudd gone, players like Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale provide scoring. Meanwhile, the signing makes sense from a familiarity standpoint.
Laksa was a star at USF under Jose Fernandez.
The 6-foot-1 guard was a first-round pick in 2020 but didn’t play in a W game until joining Phoenix last year. Selected in expansion draft by Toronto, then waived.
5.9 ppg in 33 games. 1.2 3PM/g last year, shot 31.7% from deep https://t.co/jIf7F43NvY
— Drake (@DrakeKeeler) August 25, 2026
“Laksa was a star at USF under Jose Fernandez. The 6-foot-1 guard was a first-round pick in 2020 but didn’t play in a W game until joining Phoenix last year. Selected in expansion draft by Toronto, then waived,” proclaimed one user.
Laksa played for the current Wings coach at the University of South Florida. Fernandez knows Laksa and how she operates, as she averaged 17.8 points per game. Her role in the Wings offense becomes clear, in the minds of some.
i’ll take the spacing and size on the wing https://t.co/FZAKGPegJ3
— ۟ (@dijopaigel) August 25, 2026
“I’ll take the spacing and size on the wing,” cheered another user. Laksa will present the ability to spot up on one side, while presumably Ogunbowale slides to the other, giving Bueckers two options to pass to if the defense collapses on her. Hope in the fanbase resonates with the signing.
“I actually like this. she’s a wing and she can shoot the sh*t outta the ball.” interjected another X account. Laksa may not be the answer to fully replace Fudd. Plus, the positional redundance raises concerns.
we boutta have an all guards starting lineup
— #1 JOSE FERNANDEZ HATER (@dpoyzzi) August 25, 2026
“We boutta have an all guards starting lineup.”
However, given her history with the head coach and her knowledge of his offense, she could be a vital piece for a Dallas team looking to make a late season run. It reamins to be seen, if they can thrive with Laksa.
