A new sharpshooter to benefit from Paige Bueckers' passes.
In the WNBA, the "hardship contract" is a way for teams to respond quickly to mounting player injuries -- and an incentive for players to stay in game shape, as a new opportunity in a new city could be days away.
WNBA rosters can accommodate 12 players, but league rules state that a minimum of eight players must be dressed on gameday. The seven-day hardship contract worth 75 percent of the league's $66,079 minimum base salary can be offered to free agents when a team does not have enough healthy players to fill out the roster.
This problem has affected the Dallas Wings for weeks. Guard Tyasha Harris (knee) and forward Maddy Siegrist (knee) have been out long-term with injuries, while DiJonai Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale have missed time in recent weeks as well -- clearing the way for star rookie Paige Bueckers to assume control of the offense.
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The rookie trio of Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly have impressed of late in Dallas, but the Wings' roster uncertainty has convinced general manager Curt Miller to add a more-experienced shooter -- who will debut Wednesday night when the Wings host the Las Vegas Aces.
The Wings on Wednesday signed Grace Berger to a hardship contract, adding the seventh overall pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft right before the All-Star break. Berger played five years at the University of Indiana and played for the Fever during 2023 and 2024 -- teaming up with Caitlin Clark for 11 games last season.
Berger is a career 44 percent 3-point shooter across 48 WNBA games. She has averaged 3.8 points in 13.4 minutes per game, and the Wings are her third WNBA team; she played one game for the Los Angeles Sparks this season, attempting four shots in 16 minutes during a 98-67 loss to the Seattle Storm on June 17.
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Category: Basketball
