Paige Bueckers’ relationship with Azzi Fudd at the center of development concerns

The Dallas Wings have the last two number one overall picks in the WNBA on their roster in Paige Bueckers (2025) and Azzi Fudd (2026). Dallas opened its season on Saturday with a win over the Indiana Fever.

Interestingly, Fudd came off the bench in the contest, a rarity for a number one overall pick. Complicating matters further was Fudd’s lack of impact when she did see the floor, scoring three points on just two shots in her 18 min of action.

Former WNBA star Chiney Ogwumike feels that Fudd coming off the bench could stunt her confidence and thus her development.

“You have the number one pick, and the last thing you want is for her not to feel completely confident. Azzi Fudd is the best shooter we’ve seen in a long time, she’s a pure shooter. You don’t want to create that lack of confidence in your number one pick,” Ogwumike said on ESPN.

“playing 17 minutes and only shooting the ball twice is something that should never happen with your number one pick. She needs to have the opportunity to create her own destiny.” chiney on her podcast today TALK YOUR TRUTH CHINEY https://t.co/4U3RxeUinA pic.twitter.com/sis8GVfnS5

— barbra version (@sacbabi) May 12, 2026

“Playing 17 minutes and only shooting the ball twice is something that should never happen with your number one pick. She needs to have the opportunity to create her own destiny,” she continued.

There were concerns around Fudd’s fit in Dallas on a team that already has two bona fide stars at the guard position in Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, as well as high-level contributors such as Odyssey Sims.

In fact, one Fox Sports radio analyst feels Fudd wasn’t drafted for her fit, but instead because of a personal relationship with Bueckers, which the two went public with in 2025.

“Can we just admit Azzi Fudd went number one because she’s in a relationship with Paige Bueckers?” Dan Beyer asked.

“Can we just admit Azzi Fudd went number one because she’s in a relationship with Paige Bueckers?”@danbeyeronfox to @MonseBolanos on Fudd’s WNBA debut with the Dallas Wings pic.twitter.com/lyRqS46jrP

— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) May 11, 2026

Beyer noted that other first-round picks around the league are both playing more minutes for their squad and contributing at a higher level. Ultimately, it’s far too early to levy judgment on Fudd’s fit in Dallas or on her ceiling as a player, but to quiet the noise outside of the building and distrations in the media, Dallas may want to insert her into the starting lineup sooner rather than later.