DiJonai Carrington walked into the Minnesota Lynx locker room knowing everything would change, not just for her, but for a team chasing something bigger. The trade had barely cooled, and already fans and players were buzzing.
Can one defensive-minded guard tilt the scales for a squad racing toward the playoffs? After an up-and-down stretch in Dallas, Carrington is getting a fresh start–and everyone is watching to see how far she and Minnesota can go together.
Why Did the Minnesota Lynx Trade for DiJonai Carrington at the Deadline?
Speculation was swirling right up to the WNBA trade deadline, with the Minnesota Lynx making what could be a game-changing move. After months of struggling to find consistency, they acquired guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings.
The impact was quick. Carrington scored 13 points in her Lynx debut and grabbed four rebounds in under 18 minutes. Her energy fired up the team and showed just how well she could click with Minnesota.
On her podcast, Post Moves with Aliyah Boston, WNBA legend Candace Parker didn’t hold back her thoughts on the trade. She compared the Carrington move to the kind of NBA deal that can spark a deep playoff run: specifically, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ big swing for De’Andre Hunter last year.
“I compare this Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington to Minnesota from Dallas trade to like the Cleveland Cavs when they acquired DeAndre Hunter,” Parker said during the August 6 podcast episode.
Parker made it clear that Carrington brings balance back to the Lynx. “It’s one of those like defensive players that will allow everybody to play their normal position. Kayla McBride can go back to just focusing on shooting threes. And DiJonai Carrington will guard the best player on the other team.”
Parker added, “For me, for a team that’s already in first place, which the Cavs were already in first place, to make this move, it allowed everybody to play their position, and I think DiJonai Carrington being in Minnesota is actually a ridiculous trade.”
What Does Carrington’s Arrival Mean for the Lynx and Wings?
Just days after being dealt to the Lynx, Carrington made a statement in her new jersey. In her first game, she said, “This was one of the first times I’ve had fun playing basketball this season.”
It was apparent she needed the fresh environment. Plus, she looked right at home with Minnesota. She debuted during the Lynx’s 91-87 win over the Seattle Storm, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals on 5-of-7 shooting in under 20 minutes.
For someone who earned the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team, her production in Dallas hadn’t matched her talent. Her averages, rebounds, and shooting splits dropped off, even though she started 13 of 20 games for Dallas and averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest.
Not only did Carrington feel out of place, she didn’t hide those feelings. “It’s definitely an adjustment. It was hard for me just being that the whole point of me coming to Dallas was to expand my role,” Carrington said. “So, I feel like, not that coming off the bench means it’s diminished, but sort of in a sense, a little bit… But I’ve come off the bench before in my career. Whenever I’m out there, y’all know what you’re going to get from me.”
With the Lynx pushing hard for the playoffs, Carrington’s skill set might be just what puts them over the edge. Minnesota owns one of the best records in the league, while the Wings are struggling, staring at an 8-22 record, working with a first-time coach, and dealing with injuries across the roster.
