The Indiana Fever traded NaLyssa Smith to Dallas in late January, a move that brought Sophie Cunningham to Indianapolis — and, at the time, was seen as a move that would result in Smith missing a shot at the playoffs with the Fever and instead working through what has since proved to be a tough rebuild with the Wings.
But in June, Smith's fortune changed: she was picked up by the Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. Suddenly, Smith went from attempting to just get her team through the season to being part of a roster with potential. The Aces struggle for much of the first half of the 2025 season, but turned things around after suffering a 53-point loss to the Lynx August 2, and Smith has played a key role in that process.
Smith's departure from Indiana wasn't a big surprise
Smith's departure from the Fever seemed to be a mutually agreed upon and beneficial arrangement. While she started in most of Indiana's games in 2024 — 37 of 40 to be exact — she only played 13 minutes during the team's playoff push, and she acknowledged experiencing "a lot of highs and lows" throughout the season.
But Indiana drafted Smith as the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, and she entered the team with lofty expectations. It's believed the team protected Smith during the Valkyries' Expansion Draft in December 2024, a decision that appeared to indicate she had staying power with the franchise.
Smith's move to the Aces came at the perfect time
Though her trade to Las Vegas came as a surprise to fans and to Smith, the June decision has since proven to be fortuitous for the 25-year-old and for the Aces. Smith's minutes were below 20 for the first time in her career in Dallas, and she was only averaging 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Those stats increased in Las Vegas, and Smith ended the regular season averaging 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.2 minutes of play — and she's now on a team that many believe could win the entire championship this year.
The Fever and Aces meet for the first time Sunday
Smith will face off against her former team for the first time postseason Sunday, when the Aces host the Fever in Las Vegas. Though the Fever is coming off a thrilling win over Atlanta, there's no denying that Las Vegas is the heavy favorites in the semi-finals. The game will be an especially profound one for Smith, who is currently riding a high that would never have been predicted only mere months ago.