The Dallas Wings should make this simple: select Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Not because she’s a “safe” choice — but because she’s the rare prospect who gives you elite upside, immediate impact, and franchise-level momentum all at once.

Start with the basketball. Fudd is a complete, WNBA-ready player on both ends of the floor. She’s not a project. She’s not a “give her three years” pick. She’s plug-and-play from Day 1 because her game is built on things that translate instantly: footwork, balance, spacing IQ, shot prep, and defensive discipline. And the headline skill is obvious — she’s a generational shooting talent. The form is clean, the release is quick, and the confidence is pro-level. It would shock absolutely no one if Azzi steps into the league and immediately ranks among the best in the W in three-point percentage. She’s the type of shooter that changes how defenses guard you, which changes how everything else on your roster works.

Now layer in the reality of the business. The Wings need more than a good player — they need an identity. And the Paige Bueckers + Azzi Fudd storyline is instant jet fuel. People already care about them as a duo. They’re already a national brand. That chemistry, history, and shared aura sells tickets, sells League Pass, and makes Dallas a must-follow team overnight. You want attention, relevance, and buzz? Drafting Fudd gives you all of it, while also being the right basketball decision.

And it’s not just marketing — it’s roster-building leverage. A Paige-and-Azzi backcourt becomes the heart and soul of a rising team with championship-level direction. Two stars on the same timeline who complement each other naturally creates options: you can play faster, space the floor properly, recruit veterans, and make one smart roster move that turns the Wings into contenders quicker than anyone expects.

Could Lauren Betts be great? Absolutely. She’s a monster talent and will likely be a strong pro. But bigs usually take longer to adjust to WNBA pace, switching, spacing, and the physicality of defending in space. Olivia Miles is a fantastic floor general and has improved a ton — but she’s not the type of franchise-defining scorer you take over a player like Fudd. And as exciting as Awa Fam may be, she’s still a 19-year-old mystery box at the top of the draft. The upside might be real — but at No. 1 you’re not swinging blindly when a proven, polished star is staring at you.

We’ve already seen this movie with international phenoms like Dominique Malonga: the talent is obvious, the ceiling is huge, but the adjustment takes time. Dallas made the right call selecting Paige over that type of timeline play — and in 2026, the logic is the same.

The Wings don’t need “maybe.” They need certainty with star power. Azzi Fudd is the best overall player, with the highest floor, and the kind of shooting gravity that wins modern basketball.

Take the sure thing. Take the star. Draft Azzi Fudd.