feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

DiJonai Carrington just made a leap from the bottom to the top. She moved from the Dallas Wings, currently languishing near the bottom of the standings, to the Minnesota Lynx, one of the top teams this season. Letting go of a player like Carrington wasn’t an easy decision for the Wings, but they seem to have gotten fair value in return.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Carrington’s time in Dallas was brief but meaningful. She joined the team in February 2025 and made her exit in August. In that short span, she made a noticeable impact with 13 starts for the team, averaging 10.4 points and a career-high 5.1 rebounds per game. She recently broke her silence on the trade with an apt six-word response.

ADVERTISEMENT

In her latest X post, DiJonai Carrington wrote, “What number y’all think I chose?” with a face-covering emoji, signaling her excitement to join the Minnesota Lynx. She previously wore jersey number 21 for the Dallas Wings. However, that number is currently in the ownership of Kayla McBride on the Lynx roster. Fans online have been suggesting new jersey numbers for her, but her choice remains unconfirmed.

Carrington’s move to the Lynx came through a significant trade. Minnesota gave up Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick to acquire her. In response, the Dallas Wings waived center Teaira McCowan to open up a roster spot. Why would the Lynx give up so much for one player? The answer lies in timing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Following the injury to MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, who suffered a right ankle sprain against the Aces, Minnesota found itself in urgent need of reinforcements. Carrington’s arrival comes during a critical stretch. And despite the circumstances, Lynx players have already begun welcoming her into the fold.

ADVERTISEMENT

Minnesota Lynx’s Stud Budz embrace new arrival DiJonai Carrington

Minnesota Lynx guards Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, popularly known as the Stud Budz, gave a warm welcome to their new teammate, DiJonai Carrington. The duo quickly took to social media to share their excitement and drop a possible teaser. Fans suspect the tease hints at an upcoming livestream featuring Carrington, who has previously joined the duo on stream.

ADVERTISEMENT

Williams posted a clip from that past livestream to her Instagram story with the caption, “W’S IN THE CHATTTT.” Meanwhile, Hiedeman posted on X, tagging Carrington and writing, “See you soon, best,” followed by heart emojis. Although the Lynx have embraced Carrington off the court, her role in the starting lineup has not yet been confirmed.

article-image

Imago

While DiJonai Carrington is in the midst of a career-best season, the Minnesota Lynx are already performing at their peak. They hold the best record in the WNBA at 24–5 and boast the league’s top scoring differential, averaging 87.2 points per game while holding opponents to just 75.4. With such a dominant roster already in place, it will be interesting to see how Carrington fits into the rotation. The Lynx are set to face the Seattle Storm next on Tuesday, August 5.

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Ajitesh Rawat

1,222 Articles

Ajitesh Rawat is a WNBA and College Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, where he leads the outlet’s Strategy Desk. With a research-driven approach and a reader-first mindset shaped during his stint as a Content Analyst, he covers the mechanics of the game with depth and precision. From injury reports and roster depth charts to player trades and transfer portal moves, Ajitesh brings clarity to the decisions that shape outcomes. Known for highlighting under-covered talent across the women’s game, his reporting has also earned him a spot in ES’ Journalistic Excellence Program. Beyond basketball, Ajitesh’s versatility has seen him spearhead LPGA and LIV Golf coverage while contributing to esports and FPS gaming guides, a reflection of his background as both a game developer and digital strategist. That unique blend of technical expertise and editorial instinct allows him to navigate fast-moving sports landscapes while connecting fans to the tactical and cultural undercurrents driving the games they love.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Debajyoti Sen

ADVERTISEMENT