Former No. 2 Overall Pick Gets Honest on Indiana Fever Trade

The Indiana Fever made a lot of moves during the offseason to try to build the best roster around Caitlin Clark. Things haven't worked out perfectly for them thus far — they are currently 8-8 on the season — but there's no denying that this team has a lot of potential. 

The arrival of new players also meant that a number of others had to leave. One of them was NaLyssa Smith, who spent the first three years of her career in Indiana after the team selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Smith aired her frustrations with her role for the Fever last season, which ultimately led to her trade to the Dallas Wings. It wasn't an easy transition for the former Baylor star, but she has since been able to move on and find herself in a better position.  

“I always say it’s a blessing in disguise,” Smith said on Friday ahead of the Wings-Fever game, via Nathan Baird of IndyStar. “Trades aren’t always a negative thing. It can always also be a positive thing.

“I think it came in a good light for me, at a good time. I’m about family, friends, good environment, my teammates — so it’s been good for me.”