Massive Roster Shake-Up in Dallas: Wings Release Teaira McCowan in Wake of DiJonai Carrington Trade
In a stunning turn of events just days before the WNBA’s 2025 trade deadline, the Dallas Wings made a pair of headline-grabbing moves that reshaped their roster and sparked considerable buzz across the league. The team executed a high-profile trade with the Minnesota Lynx involving guard DiJonai Carrington. But what truly turned heads was what followed next — the release of 6-foot-7 veteran center Teaira McCowan, one of the league’s tallest and most recognizable players.
These developments unfolded in rapid succession and came as a surprise not only to fans but also to league insiders, especially considering McCowan had just played an active role in a recent contest against her former team, the Indiana Fever. Her sudden release is emblematic of the often harsh business side of professional basketball — even for proven veterans with guaranteed contracts.
Let’s delve deeper into the timeline, motivations, and ramifications of this surprising sequence of events.
Prelude to a Shake-Up: WNBA Trade Deadline Looms
With the WNBA trade deadline set for August 7, all 12 teams have been evaluating their rosters, weighing playoff potential, and considering future assets. The Dallas Wings, who have been in flux all season due to injuries, inconsistency, and an ever-changing rotation, were under mounting pressure to recalibrate.
The trade that triggered the wave was announced just four days before the deadline. Dallas sent DiJonai Carrington — a gritty and athletic guard known for her defensive prowess — to the Minnesota Lynx. In return, the Wings received a package including versatile forward Diamond Miller, experienced guard Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round draft selection.
On paper, the deal favored both sides: the Lynx acquired a two-way player with playoff experience, while the Wings received assets to help them restructure and invest in the future. However, due to the league’s strict 12-player roster limit, Dallas had to clear a spot before finalizing the deal.
—
The Carrington Trade: Behind the Scenes
DiJonai Carrington’s departure from Dallas had been brewing for several weeks. Trade rumors surrounding her began circulating shortly after her girlfriend and teammate, NaLyssa Smith, was dealt to the Las Vegas Aces on June 30. Their relationship had been well-documented, and the split between Smith and the Wings created a ripple effect that many suspected would lead to Carrington’s eventual departure.
On the evening of Saturday, August 2, Carrington shared a cryptic message via her Instagram account, adding fuel to the swirling speculation. Shortly after, confirmation came that a trade had indeed been executed. Minnesota would become Carrington’s new home.
Carrington, age 27, brings athleticism and tenacity to a Lynx team looking to bolster its backcourt depth and defensive identity. She had played a critical role in Dallas’s rotation, and her departure — though expected — left a void that would need to be filled by the incoming players.
Trade Details Unpacked
Here’s how the deal broke down:
To Minnesota Lynx:
DiJonai Carrington, Guard
To Dallas Wings:
Diamond Miller, Forward
Karlie Samuelson, Guard
2027 Second-Round Draft Pick
Diamond Miller, a talented forward known for her scoring touch and versatility, adds a new dimension to the Wings’ offense. Karlie Samuelson brings perimeter shooting and veteran leadership. And the additional draft pick enhances Dallas’s long-term asset base.
While the trade seemed promising for Dallas, it also complicated their active roster. The addition of two players meant someone had to go.
The Casualty: Teaira McCowan Released
The Wings front office, led by General Manager Curt Miller, faced a difficult decision. To comply with the 12-player active roster rule, the team needed to waive a player — and they ultimately chose veteran center Teaira McCowan.
McCowan, who had been a steady presence in the WNBA since being drafted in 2019, was released less than two days after playing in a regular-season game. That game, coincidentally, came against the Indiana Fever — the team that originally drafted her third overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft.
In that matchup, which the Fever won 88-78, McCowan logged 12 minutes of action, recording six points and three rebounds. It was a modest but efficient performance in what would turn out to be her final appearance in a Wings uniform.
Career Overview: Teaira McCowan’s Journey
Teaira McCowan entered the WNBA as one of the most highly touted prospects in recent memory. A dominant force at Mississippi State University, she was known for her size, shot-blocking, rebounding ability, and low-post scoring. Standing at 6-foot-7, McCowan has consistently been one of the tallest players in the WNBA and often a mismatch nightmare for opposing teams.
She began her pro career with the Indiana Fever, where she showed flashes of brilliance during her first few seasons. Eventually, the Fever traded her to the Dallas Wings, hoping a change of scenery would help her continue to grow.
While McCowan had impactful stretches in Dallas, her role gradually diminished over time. In the 2025 season, she failed to start a single game and saw her averages plummet to career lows: 12.9 minutes, 5.6 points, and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Despite the decrease in playing time, McCowan remained a valuable backup option off the bench, using her frame to protect the rim and haul in tough rebounds. But in the ever-evolving WNBA, teams are often forced to make cold calculations, and Dallas ultimately determined her role was expendable.
Contract Considerations: The Money Behind the Move
One of the more surprising aspects of McCowan’s release is her contract status. She wasn’t just a marginal player on a minimum deal. In fact, McCowan had a protected veteran contract, meaning her salary was guaranteed regardless of her status on the team.
Her current deal, a three-year pact worth a total of $587,100, placed her among the more well-compensated post players in the league. For the 2025 season, she was slated to earn $201,400 — a significant financial commitment for a player receiving limited minutes.
Given that this was the final year of her contract, Dallas’s decision to waive her may have been motivated in part by a desire to create future cap flexibility, especially if they plan to rebuild or target major free agents in the offseason.
Still, cutting a veteran with a guaranteed deal underscores the difficult choices teams must make to stay competitive.
What’s Next for McCowan?
Although her release was abrupt, Teaira McCowan is unlikely to remain a free agent for long. Players with her size and experience are rare commodities in the WNBA. While her production dipped this season, she has a proven track record and could be an ideal fit for a team in need of frontcourt depth — especially those dealing with injuries or playoff ambitions.
Teams like the Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, or even a reunion with the Indiana Fever could be potential landing spots. Much will depend on roster flexibility and salary cap situations across the league.
McCowan’s next destination may also depend on her willingness to accept a reduced role or retool her game to fit modern WNBA systems that emphasize spacing, mobility, and perimeter defense.
Broader Implications for the Wings
For Dallas, the moves signal a continued shift in philosophy. After trading NaLyssa Smith, DiJonai Carrington, and now releasing McCowan, the Wings have cleared significant veteran salary and added a new mix of younger talent and veteran shooters.
The acquisition of Diamond Miller gives them a forward who can attack off the dribble and finish at the rim, while Karlie Samuelson provides a reliable option from three-point range. If both can stay healthy and contribute immediately, the Wings could benefit from improved balance and floor spacing — two areas they’ve struggled with all season.
The 2027 second-round pick may also prove valuable in the long run, giving the franchise flexibility as they look to build around younger stars and rising talent.
Fan Reaction and League Buzz
The news of McCowan’s release sparked a wave of reaction across social media. Fans, teammates, and analysts expressed shock and sympathy for the veteran center. Many pointed out the cold timing of her release — coming less than 48 hours after her last game — and questioned whether the Wings could have handled the situation with more transparency or tact.
Others viewed the move as a necessary step in a rebuilding process and praised Dallas’s front office for making bold, future-oriented decisions. The WNBA, like all professional leagues, demands adaptability — and the Wings appear to be embracing change head-on.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
The Dallas Wings’ recent roster reshuffling illustrates the complex, often ruthless nature of professional basketball. Teaira McCowan, once a franchise cornerstone and dominant force in the paint, finds herself a free agent — not because she lacks skill, but because of changing team needs and evolving league dynamics.
As McCowan looks ahead to her next opportunity, the Wings are already charting a new course, one that prioritizes flexibility, spacing, and long-term planning. The Carrington trade and McCowan release will have ripple effects throughout the WNBA, influencing playoff races, player movement, and future trade talks.
The next few days leading to the August 7 deadline promise to be busy across the league. And while Teaira McCowan’s chapter with the Wings has closed, her WNBA story is far from over.
Leave a Reply