Dallas Wings GM alluded to using relationship for talent acquisition

The Dallas Wings selected former UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd with the number one pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Interestingly enough, Fudd and Paige Bueckers, Dallas’ number one pick in the 2025 draft, went public with their romantic relationship last year.

At her introductory press conference, a reporter asked Fudd about her relationship with Bueckers and the dynamic it could have as the two navigate being professional athletes.

“Paige announced last year on TikTok that y’all were a couple,” the reporter said. “And I’m wondering if that’s still the case, and if so, if y’all have talked to other couples in the league about how they negotiate that dynamic as pro teammates?”

Wings PR stepped in and shot down the question.

“I understand why you have to ask that question, but we’re going to respectfully decline from commenting on our players’ personal lives,” the rep said off camera.

A reporter asked Azzi Fudd about her relationship with Paige Bueckers, but the Wings’ media team said they won’t be commenting on their players’ personal lives. pic.twitter.com/iH3enGfoVE

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 16, 2026

The response to the question sparked a debate online about whether it was an appropriate question to ask in the first place, and also if it was the best way for the Wings organization to respond.

WNBA reporter Annie Costabile believed it to be a valid question and that the franchise should’ve let Fudd answer for herself.

There are couples in the WNBA. When couples play on the same team it is relevant to team dynamics & therefore a question to ask.

— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) April 16, 2026

Costabile may have a point, considering Wings GM Curt Miller only last season alluded to acquiring NaLyssa Smith with the full knowledge that it could have a positive impact on the franchise’s ability to bring in her girlfriend at the time, DiJonai Carrington.

“We knew if we could get NaLyssa in a trade, then even more we could get DiJonai in free agency,” Miller said.

this would’ve been a better line of questioning to ask Curt considering what he’s said previously about talent acquisition. pic.twitter.com/ZJunZ9CXro

— correlation (@nosyone4) April 16, 2026

While the Wings’ effort was valiant, it may have been better to address the elephant in the room head-on, rather than trying to circumvent it entirely.