In a stunning series of interviews, multiple WNBA general managers delivered a cold dose of reality about what lies ahead for Bueckers—and why fans hoping for a second Caitlin-level explosion might be sorely disappointed.

The Brutal Reality: Paige Bueckers Isn’t Caitlin Clark

ESPN reporters recently caught up with a handful of WNBA GMs to get their early thoughts on the league’s most anticipated rookie class. While public praise for Bueckers has been high, behind closed doors? The evaluations are far more cautious—and surprisingly blunt.

“It’s really hard to impact the game as a rookie,” one veteran GM said.
“What Caitlin did last year was special— unique. Paige is a special player too, but I’m not expecting anything close to that.”

Another GM added:
“I think Paige has MVP-level potential, but it’s not as obvious as it was with Caitlin—or even with A’ja Wilson when she came out.”

Translation? While Bueckers is seen as a future star, no one inside the league expects her to light the WNBA on fire the way Clark already has.

And here’s where the divide grows even starker: some GMs privately admitted they believe Bueckers needs to get “a lot more selfish” to reach her ceiling. In other words: she’s good—but maybe too cautious, too willing to defer in a league that demands killers.

Ticket Sales Tell the Story—And It’s Not What Fans Were Expecting

The reality check doesn’t stop there.

When Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut, the feverish demand for tickets forced teams to move games into NBA arenas just to accommodate the crowds.
Her first appearance with the Indiana Fever was relocated to the 20,000-seat Gainbridge Fieldhouse—and still sold out within hours.

Now? All eyes are on Paige Bueckers’ upcoming debut with the Dallas Wings.

But there’s a problem: it’s not sold out yet.

The Wings are sticking with their usual 7,000-seat College Park Center—not upgrading to the nearby American Airlines Center where the Mavericks play—and even with the smaller venue, there are still hundreds of tickets available.

A quick check on Ticketmaster showed tickets priced at $2,044 and even as low as $367 still unsold—and entire sections filled with empty seats.

In short: Paige’s debut isn’t close to matching the frenzy Caitlin created.

Some insiders predict that ticket prices will have to be slashed as the game draws nearer if the Wings want to avoid the embarrassment of unsold seats for one of their most hyped rookies.

Unfair Expectations—or a Sobering New Reality?

It would be easy to blame unrealistic expectations.

After all, Caitlin Clark didn’t just have a good rookie year—she had a season for the ages:

Two triple-doubles

Over 60 WNBA rookie records shattered

Skyrocketing TV ratings for the league

Merchandising records broken across the board

Her arrival triggered an economic boom for the WNBA that some insiders privately describe as “the Caitlin Effect.”

Expecting Paige Bueckers—or anyone—to replicate that impact is unfair.
Yet the comparisons are inevitable.

Fans, media members, and even shoe companies have treated Bueckers as the next transcendent star, hyping her arrival with the same fever that surrounded Clark’s entry.

But according to the GMs? The league itself knows better.

They’re excited for Bueckers. They see her long-term potential.
But they’re not betting the future of the WNBA on her the way they are—openly—on Caitlin Clark.

One GM summed it up brutally:
“With Caitlin, you knew right away. With Paige, we’re going to have to wait and see.”

The Underlying Tension: WNBA’s Old Guard Isn’t Ready for Another Disruptor

There’s another layer to this story—one that’s been quietly brewing for months inside WNBA circles.

Simply put: not everyone inside the league was thrilled about Caitlin Clark’s explosion.

Some longtime players and media members grumbled about the attention she received.
Some accused the league of promoting Clark too aggressively at the expense of established stars.
There were even public admissions of jealousy from former legends.

Now, many insiders believe that same group is quietly hoping Paige Bueckers doesn’t become another Clark—a disruptive force who reshapes the power dynamics of the league almost overnight.

“They don’t want another Caitlin,” one agent said. “At least not yet. They’re still adjusting to the first one.”

That could partly explain why GMs are offering such tempered expectations—even if, privately, they know Bueckers could still surprise everyone.

The Bottom Line: Caitlin Clark Has Changed the Standard—Forever

Whether it’s fair or not, Caitlin Clark has moved the goalposts.

Her rookie season redefined what’s possible for a WNBA newcomer—not just in terms of on-court production, but in impact on culture, business, and fan engagement.

And now, every rookie after her will be judged against that impossible standard.

Paige Bueckers might be the next great star.
She might even become an MVP one day.
But even her biggest supporters admit: her journey will look very different than Clark’s.

And that’s not a knock on Paige—it’s a testament to just how seismic Caitlin Clark’s arrival truly was.

The WNBA is still grappling with the aftershocks.

And with Bueckers preparing to step onto the court for the first time under these sky-high expectations?
The stakes—and the pressure—have never been higher.