In a move that could have long-term implications for both franchises, the Dallas Wings have traded 6’4 forward NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. The deal, confirmed Monday afternoon, reflects each team’s strategic priorities — with the Aces bolstering their frontcourt depth for another title push, and the Wings continuing to build for the future.
For Smith, this marks her third team in just two seasons. After playing with the Indiana Fever last year, she began this season with the Wings, where she struggled to find consistent rhythm on the floor. Smith’s best performance came against the Chicago Sky and her collegiate rival Angel Reese, posting 20 points in 28 minutes. But such flashes were rare. Over 18 games, she’s averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game — production that, while steady, likely fell short of Dallas’ expectations for a former top pick.
Interestingly, in the Wings’ recent surge — winning four of their last six — Smith logged her heaviest minutes in the team’s losses, a sign that she may have fallen behind in the rotation. The emergence of newly acquired center Li Yueru likely played a role in that shift. Li, traded to Dallas from Seattle earlier this month, made an immediate impact with a double-double (10 points, 15 rebounds) in a win over Atlanta and has given the Wings a reliable inside presence.
The trade allows the Wings to gain future draft capital and clear space for a younger, retooled roster to develop, while the Aces take a low-risk gamble on a still-talented forward in Smith. If she can find her stride in Las Vegas, this move could prove to be one of the steals of the season.
For now, though, Dallas keeps cooking — and with the sauce still simmering, the future might just taste like victory.
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