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Skylar Diggins-Smith says she does not plan on returning to Dallas

By Bela Kirpalani

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 19: Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Dallas Wings handles the ball against the Seattle Storm on August 19, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 19: Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Dallas Wings handles the ball against the Seattle Storm on August 19, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Diggins-Smith wants to change teams ahead of her eighth WNBA season

Dallas Wings guard Skylar Diggins-Smith wants out of the organization, as first reported by Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press on Monday.

“I don’t plan on playing in Dallas next year,” Diggins-Smith told The AP. “I’m happy to be playing in this league and I want to play.”

Earlier on Monday, the Wings announced that they had placed a core designation tag on Diggins-Smith, forbidding her from meeting with other teams. However, it seems that Dallas may now look to facilitate a sign-and-trade deal and hopefully recoup a significant return for the four-time All Star.

Due to the core designation, the aforementioned sign-and-trade agreement that would allow Diggins-Smith to go a destination of her choosing would need to happen before the 16th day of the season. After that date, she could be traded anywhere, according to the new CBA.

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Diggins-Smith missed all of last season after giving birth to her son last year. The 29-year-old’s relationship with the Wings organization has been tenuous at times. Three months ago, she revealed that she played the entire 2018 WNBA season while pregnant. She also opened up about having postpartum depression and feeling a lack of support from the organization.

This is the second year in a row that the Wings have had a disgruntled star player. Last year, Australian center Liz Cambage was traded eight days before the start of the 2019 season to the Las Vegas Aces.

Despite missing significant playing time, Diggins-Smith has laced up for the USA Basketball Team in its NCAA tour as part of the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics and shown glimpses of returning to her best.

When asked what she would look for in a new team, the star guard emphasized the importance of doing what’s best for her family.

“Those are the three factors,” Diggins-Smith said Sunday after a Team USA practice session. “Me, myself, and my son.”

“Today, I’m enjoying the moment and I’m ready to play,” she added.

If Diggins-Smith is finally set to leave the Wings, Minnesota and Atlanta could be potential landing spots for the former No. 3 pick. With Maya Moore sitting out another season, the Lynx could use a veteran like Diggins-Smith to lead them back to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. The Dream finished last season with a dreary 8-26 record, and with unrestricted free agent Angel McCoughtry reportedly looking to play elsewhere, could make a major pick-up in Diggins-Smith.

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