Now with a new regime in the front office, Dallas has a chance to build the strongest foundation they have ever had. The first major change begins with the hiring of Curt Miller as executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager.
His hiring was followed up by the promotion of two people that have been key pieces of the organization — Jasmine Thomas and Travis Charles.
Last season, Thomas was brought on as the organization’s director of player programs and development coach. Now she has been elevated to the vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager.
Travis Charles has been a part of the organization from the very beginning when the team was relocated in 2016. He has worked his way up to senior vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager.
President, chief executive officer and partner Greg Bibb said in the introductory press conference held Nov. 21 that, if these hires are not a great start to a foundation of a successful basketball enterprise, then he is not sure what would be.
“I’m thrilled to have these three leading the way, and I’m confident we’re going to get back on track what we were building in the recent past,” Bibb said.
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The coaching executive
Miller’s experience with the Connecticut Sun as the head coach and general manager makes him a unique commodity for Dallas. He had the second highest winning percentage in the history of the Sun. When he first arrived, the team needed to be re-energized to make them championship contenders, much like the Wings need right now. During the press conference, listeners learned why Dallas was an enticing opportunity for Miller.
“Through the conversations, through this process, a few things really stood out, the shared vision, the shared enthusiasm, and the thought partner that I would have in Greg, as he gave me trust in running the basketball operations,” Miller said. “What was the tipping point for me, though, was what I’m calling ‘the squad’ and the opportunity to work alongside of Charles and Thomas, who I have a long standing relationship with.
With Miller at the helm, as well as the changes in the front office and the search for a new head coach, the Wings are making a lot of noise. They also have plenty of eyes on them having securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. His leadership and his knowledge of what it takes to make a team successful could be the difference-maker and a real turning point for the organization.
The athlete
Thomas was a 13-year WNBA veteran and an all-star in the league. She did an internship in the front office while she was in college and a full time athlete. During the press conference she said that early in her career she wanted to end up in the front office.
“It just so happened right place, right time, I ran into (Bibb) and an opportunity was extended to me, and since then, I’ve just continued working and trying to learn and grow. With a extensive experience leadership group like this, being able to have this opportunity to be a sponge and soak that up and bring my playing experience and network and connections that I’ve developed over the years into this organization, is what I’m happy to do,” Thomas said.
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The relationship she has with Miller has immediately brings chemistry to organization’s front office. It is a cohesiveness that will be an example of what the team will also need in the locker room.
Bibb said he has had the pleasure of knowing Thomas since her days at Duke and that he followed her stellar playing career in the WNBA with admiration. He also said that he hope that someday Thomas would join the organization.
“Jasmine’s experience as a player, I think, uniquely qualifies her to lead our player services efforts, both on and off the court,” he said.
When Thomas was speaking on networking and building relationships Charles added to her statement and said that she was being modest.
“I’ve known Jas a long time throughout her career. She’s been a model citizen, she’s been on time, she’s been respectful. She’s been a leader to the young group and showing them how to be professional. I think those things are transferable to this role for her,” he said.
The original
Charles began his career with Dallas as an intern for the organization. He has climbed up the ranks and he now has the opportunity to make this team better as a constant for the team and through his experience. Bibb said that he has literally done every operational job within a basketball department, from intern all the way now up to senior vice president.
“Travis is an original Dallas wings employee. He came with the team from Tulsa prior to the 2016 season. He is someone that’s been by my side every step of the way. And he has risen through our ranks, become a trusted and admired basketball executive in the WNBA. I watched him develop into a very bright young executive, in fact, one of the best young executives in our league, in my opinion,” he said.
In a way Charles knows this organization inside and out. He has seen the the lows and the highs. It is that experience that will aid in the shared vision of this new regime. He said he liked to learn from the depth of knowledge that Miller has.
“Curt being on the other end of some of his good teams, having them run up and down the court on us, I believe basketball wise, there’s so much to learn from him, and so much experience and been in this job before. I’m just excited to pick his brain, work alongside him, and try to bring a winner back to Dallas,” he said.
Bibb said these changes in the front office are more of a reset, not necessarily a rebuild. Now that the team has the No. 1 pick in the draft, they are turning their focus to the upcoming expansion draft and continuing their search for a new head coach.
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