In a move geared for the stretch run, the Lynx stunned the WNBA by trading for veteran DiJonai Carrington on Sunday.
In return, the Lynx will send forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round pick to the Wings.
Averaging 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Dallas Wings this season, Carrington, 27, has emerged as one of the best defensive guards in league due to her length and tenacity.
Carrington, a second-round pick out of Baylor in 2021, was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player last season, when she was also chosen all-defensive first team. The 5-11 guard was in her first season in Dallas after four years with the Connecticut Sun.
Carrington also has legitimate postseason experience. She appeared in the 2022 WNBA Finals with the Sun and followed that up with back-to-back semifinals appearances in 2023 and ’24.
Miller was the second overall pick in 2023 out of Maryland and made the all-rookie team that year, but she was hampered by injuries last season and saw limited action this season, averaging 4.1 points per game. She didn’t play [in Saturday’s historic 53-point rout at Las Vegas](https://www.startribune.com/lynx-rout-aces-by-53-points-behind-hot-shooting-kayla-mcbride-but-napheesa-collier-departs-due-to-injury/601336928), and afterward coach Cheryl Reeve told reporters that the decision was not related to injury.
The Lynx traded for Samuelson in April and she played in 16 games this season before suffering a foot injury.
Carrington could see her first action with her new team when the league-best Lynx (24-5) visit Seattle on Tuesday.