The Dallas Wings announced a trade that sent NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces for a 2027 first-round pick. To ensure the deal was completed, the Wings released Kaila Charles from her hardship contract. Had they not released Charles, they still would have had too many players on the roster even after trading Smith due to the return of Luisa Geiselsoder and Teaira McCowan from EuroBasket.
The former Fever forward played 18 games in a Wings uniform. She averaged seven points and five rebounds while providing Dallas with defense and toughness. There weren't any rumors that a trade was brewing prior to the announcement, surprising everyone, including Smith, who was blindsided by the deal based on her reaction on social media.
sick to my stomach dawg , never seen this coming but .. i love you dallas nation, thank you 4 everything.
— #1 (@NaLyssaSmith) June 30, 2025
It's a common saying, but the WNBA is a business, and business can be brutal. The fans will undoubtedly miss Smith.
The Aces have been struggling this season, so they'll get a good player to help them course-correct, while the Wings stack assets. They now have two 2027 first-round picks, but I think there's another way things could play out for Dallas' benefit, and they had to have considered it as well.
The Wings could be counting in A'ja Wilson leaving Aces
A'ja Wilson is in the final year of her contract, and she'll be an unrestricted free agent. One of the most enticing situations there is for a star player is to be a free agent. Who doesn't love to be courted? General managers across the league will go out of their way to get her on their team.
Now, the new CBA kicks in next season, so she could very well just re-sign with the Aces for more money, but being a free agent gives other teams an opportunity to poach her away from Sin City. If that happens and Becky Hammon's ball club struggles without their multi-time MVP, the Wings could end up with a high lottery pick in 2027.
Wilson is a competitor, so the direction of the team is likely going to be very important to her. This season hasn't been their best. They've struggled after trading Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks in the offseason (a three-team deal Dallas fans now doubly appreciate, because it resulted in the acquisition of Li Yueru via trade with the Storm).
The Aces are obviously hoping to right the ship with this trade, but whether that happens or not, the Finals MVP could seek greener pastures elsewhere. The Golden State Valkyries are coached by Natalie Nakase, and Wilson played under Nakase for years in Vegas. That connection, combined with the star power of the organization itself, makes them a team to worry about—and that's just one potential pursuer.
The Valk's arena is always sold out, their facilities are nice, and their owner is putting the money up. They're going to be a threat to sign away big-time players for the foreseeable future, so it's something to consider.
If the Wings are gambling that Wilson bolts in free agency and they're right, we'll look at this deal again and see it for the genius it was. If not, more assets are never a bad thing. It gives you flexibility, and with a player as skilled as Paige Bueckers has already proven to be, you need that to put the right pieces in place to go for it all. It's a win-win.