In a bold midseason roster shakeup, the Dallas Wings announced Monday they have traded forward NaLyssa Smith to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. The move reflects a strategic long-term vision by Dallas while adding depth to a frontcourt-rich Aces squad chasing another title.
To finalize the trade, Dallas also released Kaila Charles, who had been playing on a hardship contract.
Smith, 24, averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game through 18 appearances with the Wings this season, shooting 42.5% from the field. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Smith spent her first three years with the Indiana Fever before being acquired by Dallas this past February as part of a multi-team deal.
Though Smith never fully found her rhythm in Arlington, she brought toughness on the boards and flashes of scoring ability. Now, she heads to a loaded Las Vegas roster led by A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum — where she’ll be expected to contribute immediately off the bench or in a rotation role for Becky Hammon’s squad.
The Wings, meanwhile, continue to retool amid a rollercoaster first half of the season. With Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder returning from international duty at EuroBasket, Dallas no longer needed Charles’ temporary services. The 6-foot-1 forward averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 17 games, offering reliable energy and effort across the floor.
With McCowan and Geiselsöder reinstated to the active roster, the Wings look to stabilize their frontcourt rotation heading into a critical stretch of the schedule.
Dallas (5-13) is set to host the Phoenix Mercury this Thursday at College Park Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. All eyes will be on how the Wings begin this next chapter without Smith and with a newly fortified roster.
