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Paige Bueckers' Teammate Gets Heart Broken After Unfortunate News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 3:06 PM ET

After three years with the Indiana Fever, NaLyssa Smith was traded to the Dallas Wings before the start of the 2025 WNBA season.

This came as part of a three-team deal that sent veteran guard Sophie Cunningham and the Phoenix Mercury's No. 19 draft pick (later used on Florida State's Makayla Timpson) to the Fever.

Now, Smith is once again on the move, with the Las Vegas Aces acquiring her for a 2027 first-round pick on Monday.

One of the first to react to the news was her girlfriend and now former Wings teammate DiJonai Carrington, who simply posted, "" on X.

— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) June 30, 2025

Shortly after, Smith also reacted to the news, sharing in the heartbreak.

"Sick to my stomach dawg , never seen this coming but .. i love you dallas nation, thank you 4 everything," she posted on X.

Smith entered the 2025 season as one of the more promising young forwards in the WNBA.

A former No. 2 overall pick (2022) by the Fever, she averaged 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a rookie, earning All‑Rookie Team honors.

In her second professional season, her numbers improved to 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, despite averaging fewer minutes (28.5 compared to 30.7), providing Indiana with a dependable post presence.

By 2024, however, Smith’s role shifted: Her statistical averages settled at 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds, reflecting both a reduction in minutes and adjustments to the Fever’s evolving rotation with budding star Caitlin Clark.

This season, Smith was averaging just 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game (all career lows) with Dallas, which is struggling to find consistency aside from No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers.

With the Wings still rebuilding under first‑year coach Chris Koclanes, the 2027 first‑round pick represents draft capital that can accelerate their youth movement or be packaged in future deals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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