Deep, Dangerous, and DiJonai — How Carrington Makes the Minnesota Lynx Even Stronger » Winsidr

One thing has been constant all WNBA season—the Minnesota Lynx have been the best team in the league. Not only does their record reflect that, but statistically, they are leading the WNBA in numerous categories.

Minnesota has been impressive in multiple aspects of the game. And they got even better before the trade deadline while adding to an already talented squad. 

Days before the Aug. 7 trade deadline, the Lynx made a move for the second straight season, acquiring guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round draft pick.

Some have viewed Carrington as having a “down” year thus far in Dallas, but she is looking to turn the page with a fresh start in Minnesota. And her contributions have already been felt on both ends of the floor to add to a team that is already one of the deepest in the league. 

Being in Minnesota

The season in totality has been a whirlwind for Carrington, who didn’t necessarily plan to be in Dallas until she was traded by the Connecticut Sun last offseason as the Sun decided to start a rebuild after years of knocking on the doorstep of the WNBA Finals. 

She was visibly frustrated at times with the Wings, who have struggled to this point in the season as they continue to drop towards the bottom of the WNBA standings. It was evident that a fresh start would be in the best interest of all parties involved, and that exact outcome has taken place in Minnesota. 

“I’m super excited to be here. I’m blessed that they saw that I could be an asset and there was a mutual respect there,” Carrington said in her first comments since the trade. “I’m excited because I feel like my mindset got a shift, and that’s what I want is to be pushed to be great and pushed to not settle for anything less than that greatness. I think Coach Reeve knows what I’m capable of. I think she’s going to make sure I’m giving that output every single night. That’s what I’m excited about, to be held accountable and to be around winners and champs.”

DIJONAI’S FIRST BUCKET IN A LYNX UNIFORM. 👏 pic.twitter.com/92XLRg6xBl

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) August 6, 2025

Along with Carrington being a fit from a personnel perspective on the court, she is also already comfortable in Minnesota while playing with a trio of former teammates. Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, and Carrington spent time together in Connecticut, while Carrington, and Alanna Smith played together collegiately at Stanford. 

“I love playing with (Carrington),” Williams said. “She’s definitely adding onto our team and making us even more of a problem.”

Carrington noted that the personalities on the Lynx roster along with the familiarity of a few players, have made it a seamless transition to Minnesota to allow the entire team to hit the ground running. 

“Coming into a team that is as established as this team and the rapport they have with each other, I think it would have been a lot harder to come in and not know anyone at all and figure my way into the social aspect. I think it’s great,” Carrington said. “Me, Courtney, and (Hiedeman) talk all the time, so it’s seamless in that sense. And (Smith), me and her were super close at Stanford. It’s been great and I’ve loved playing all three of them. I’m excited and I’m grateful that they’re here and there is that familiarity so, I don’t have to worry.”

What She Brings to the Lynx

After being named Most Improved Player and selected All-Defense First Team in 2024 following a career year in Connecticut, Carrington took a bit of a step back on a struggling Dallas squad over the first portion of the 2025 season. In 20 games with the Wings, Carrington averaged 10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 1.1 SPG while shooting 35.4 percent from the field in 24.9 MPG.

Though those offensive stats took a bit of a dip from the career-best year prior, Carrington does a lot that is unseen on the statsheet, notably on the defensive end with the effort and energy she provides on that side of the floor. 

“That’s one of the biggest things I can bring to this team is being that head of the snake. Picking up the ball at 94 feet if need be, fighting through screens, blowing up screens, getting extra possessions. This team is just full of gritty people, and that’s what I am, too,” Carrington said. “I’m just here to continue that and I hope to alleviate some of the pressure from some of the guards having to exert all that energy on defense because that’s what I do. I’m excited to give them that on that side of the ball and give another aspect of things (offensively) with a different feel and a different look.”

Maybe it was the change of scenery, maybe it was the shift in mindset from being on a bottom-four team in the WNBA to the team at the top as a title favorite, or maybe it was just her fit on the roster, but Carrington has immediately made her mark on the Lynx as a two-way talent. In her debut with Minnesota on Aug. 5, Carrington finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 18 minutes off the bench, providing a few key momentum-shifting moments defensively that turned into offensive production shortly after.

And that impact will only continue to grow down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs as Carrington becomes more and more comfortable in her new home. 

“More than anything, we’ve wanted her to try and play without thinking and just try to do simple things,” Reeve said of Carrington’s first few games with the Lynx. “It’s innate to her to compete, whether it’s offensively or defensively. Living in your space where you’re not playing outside of yourself, and that’s what we’re going to coach. … She’s never going to quit. That’s a competitor times 10. … Her being able to come into a group that is really established, to try and fit and try — what a lot of players try to do — not to screw up what’s going on. I think she’s doing a great job of just being herself.”

Eyes on the Prize

Carrington is no stranger to being part of deep playoff runs and playing in pressure-filled games, being part of teams in Connecticut that have gone deep in the postseason. And now, she is right back into that mindset with a team in Minnesota that has its eyes on another run towards a WNBA title.

After a disappointing ending to the 2024 campaign, the Lynx are on a revenge tour to not only return to the WNBA Finals but also get across the finish line this year with their eyes on the prize of a fifth championship in franchise history. Minnesota is playing like a team that is not only motivated, but as one, and they have possessed that since the season opener in May. 

“You can always tell they play for one another. That’s why everyone on this team thrives,” Carrington said. “You can tell there’s a lot of trust and it’s easy to play hard when you know that your sister behind you is playing hard too and is going to have your back. … I’m glad to be part of a team where we have a goal and everyone is fighting for that goal. You can just feel the energy in every huddle, every position. This is a group of winners and I’m a winner too, so it’s great to be a part of it.”

just the start. pic.twitter.com/W9tYu9oJH0

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) August 6, 2025

The Carrington trade provided the 27-year-old guard with a fresh start and a newfound motivation while being back in title contention. But Minnesota also made the trade with a title in mind and in an attempt to go all-in and make a talented team even more talented. 

And Carrington is ready to hit the ground running with the Lynx and join in on that pursuit. 

“This is one of the first times I’ve had fun playing basketball this season. … It’s great to know that they brought me here for a reason and they see something,” Carrington said. “I’m grateful to be right here where I am. I honestly have no complaints. … I’m right where I need to be.”