The Dallas Wings locker room is buzzing after reports surfaced that Paige Bueckers’ new teammates just did the unthinkable—and the move is already sending shockwaves across the WNBA.

Bueckers, hailed as one of the most polished guards to ever step onto a college floor, hasn’t even played her first official game for the Wings yet, but insiders claim the team has already made a bold statement that could change the trajectory of both her career and the franchise.

According to sources close to the situation, several Wings veterans have gone out of their way to hand the keys of the franchise to Bueckers before she’s even proven herself at the pro level.

In practices and team meetings, players are reportedly encouraging Paige to step into the leadership role usually reserved for veterans, with some even telling coaches that “this is Paige’s team now.” For a rookie, that kind of endorsement is unheard of.

The “unthinkable” part isn’t just the early coronation—it’s the fact that players who have been with Dallas for years, including established scorers and leaders, are openly deferring to the rookie. Normally, a newcomer has to earn her respect by proving herself over time.

In Bueckers’ case, her reputation, poise, and talent appear to have already shattered that barrier. Teammates reportedly believe she brings a championship-caliber mentality that Dallas has been missing.

Fans are split on this development. Supporters argue that Bueckers’ résumé speaks for itself. She was the face of UConn, the kind of generational guard who elevated everyone around her, and many believe her transition to the WNBA will be seamless.

If the Wings are serious about contending for a title, why waste time pretending she’s just another rookie? Give her the spotlight now, they argue, and let her lead.

But critics aren’t buying it. Some fans are furious, suggesting that the Wings are disrespecting their veterans by anointing Paige so quickly. They warn that this kind of early favoritism could fracture the locker room, creating resentment among players who have put in the work for years.

Others caution that the pressure could backfire on Bueckers herself—if she struggles early, the narrative could flip from “chosen leader” to “overhyped bust.”

What makes this story even more dramatic is the looming comparison to Caitlin Clark. While Clark had to claw her way through physical play, locker-room politics, and relentless media pressure with the Indiana Fever, Bueckers appears to be walking into a situation where her teammates are rolling out the red carpet.

Some fans are already arguing that Paige has it easier than Clark, fueling a new chapter in their rivalry before Bueckers even takes the court.

The Wings organization, for its part, seems thrilled with the chemistry brewing. Coaches have praised Bueckers’ maturity, calling her “a natural leader” and noting that she’s already pushing veterans to raise their standards in practice.

If true, the gamble could pay off in historic fashion—Dallas might finally have the floor general who can turn their talent-heavy roster into a true contender.

Still, the move is risky. Crowning a rookie leader is almost unprecedented, and if results don’t follow, the backlash will be brutal. For now, though, the Wings have done the unthinkable: they’ve essentially placed their franchise in Paige Bueckers’ hands before her first pro bucket. Whether this ends in glory or disaster will define the future of both Bueckers and Dallas basketball.