The Trade That Broke Hearts: Inside NaLyssa Smith's 'Sick to My Stomach' Reaction to Leaving Dallas

In the fast-paced world of professional sports, trades are part of the business. Players understand that loyalty doesn't always guarantee stability, and franchises make moves based on strategy rather than sentiment. But sometimes, a trade cuts deeper than the typical business transaction—and NaLyssa Smith's shocking move from the Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces on June 30, 2025, proved to be one of those heartbreaking moments that reminds us athletes are human beings with real emotions and relationships.

When news broke that the Wings had traded their starting forward to the Aces for a 2027 first-round draft pick, Smith's raw, unfiltered response on social media revealed just how blindsided she felt: "Sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming."

Those seven words would become the defining moment of one of the WNBA's most emotionally charged trades in recent memory.

The Baylor Star's Professional Journey

Before diving into the emotional aftermath of the trade, it's worth understanding the journey that brought NaLyssa Smith to this moment. The San Antonio native built her basketball foundation at Baylor University, where she became one of the most dominant players in college basketball history.

At Baylor, Smith was instrumental in the Bears' 2019 NCAA National Championship, providing the interior presence that helped establish the program as a powerhouse. Her college career was nothing short of spectacular:

Baylor University Career Highlights
2019 NCAA National Champion
Career averages: 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds
Key contributor to championship team
Developed into elite post player

Smith's success at Baylor made her an obvious choice for the Indiana Fever, who selected her with the second overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Her transition to professional basketball seemed seamless, earning WNBA All-Rookie First Team honors in her debut season.

The Indiana Years: Building a Foundation

Smith's three seasons with the Indiana Fever established her as one of the league's most reliable forwards. Her statistics tell the story of a player who consistently delivered:

Indiana Fever Career (2022-2024)
Games: 95 total games
Average: 13.2 points, 8.0 rebounds
2023 Season: 15.5 points, 9.1 rebounds (career high)
2022: WNBA All-Rookie First Team

However, Smith's time in Indiana wasn't without its challenges. Despite her strong individual performance, she publicly expressed frustration about her role on the team, particularly as the Fever began building around other players. When Caitlin Clark arrived as the 2024 first overall pick, the dynamic shifted further, and Smith found herself seeking a larger role elsewhere.

The Dallas Dream That Became a Nightmare

When Smith was traded to the Dallas Wings in a four-team deal during the 2025 offseason, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The Texas native was coming home, joining a franchise that promised her the expanded role she had been seeking.

The Wings positioned Smith as a key piece of their rebuilding efforts, pairing her with rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, the 2025 first overall pick. On paper, the combination of Smith's veteran experience and Bueckers' dynamic playmaking ability looked formidable.

But the 2025 season in Dallas proved challenging from the start. The Wings struggled mightily, posting a dismal 1-11 record early in the season before winning four of their next six games. For Smith, the struggles were both team-wide and personal:

2025 Dallas Wings Performance
Games: 18 games
Averages: 6.7 points, 4.9 rebounds
Minutes: 19.1 per game (career low)
Shooting: 42.5% field goal percentage

These numbers represented career lows across the board for Smith, suggesting that the fit in Dallas wasn't working as hoped. The Wings' overall struggles compounded the individual disappointment, creating a situation that neither player nor team found satisfactory.

The Relationship That Made It Personal

What transformed Smith's trade from a typical business move into an emotionally devastating experience was the personal relationship at stake. Smith and Wings guard DiJonai Carrington had become partners both on and off the court, making the trade exponentially more complicated.

Carrington's emotional reaction to the news provided a window into the human cost of the transaction. Video footage of Carrington breaking down upon learning of the trade quickly went viral, with fans sharing the heartbreaking moment across social media platforms.

"Dijonai on NaLyssa getting traded 🥹. I'm crying 😢," read one viral social media post that captured Carrington's raw emotion.

The separation of the couple added a layer of personal tragedy to what was already a difficult professional situation. For Smith, the trade wasn't just about changing teams—it was about being separated from someone who had become an integral part of her life.

The Shock Heard 'Round the League

Smith's social media response to the trade revealed the depth of her surprise and emotional turmoil. Her initial post captured the genuine shock of someone who truly "never seen this coming":

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

The rawness of this response resonated throughout the WNBA community. Here was a professional athlete, typically expected to maintain composure and speak in measured tones about business decisions, instead sharing her unfiltered emotional reaction with the world.

But Smith's honesty didn't stop there. In a follow-up post that showed her resilience and professionalism, she demonstrated why she's become such a respected figure in the league:

"on another note tho if i could've chose anywhere to go it would've been vegas so hella excited 4 this new opportunity wit my goat . 🙂‍↔️🤝🏾"

The reference to her "goat" was widely understood to mean A'ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces superstar and two-time WNBA champion. Despite the emotional trauma of the unexpected trade, Smith was already looking ahead to the opportunity to play alongside one of the league's elite players.

Vegas: A Championship Opportunity

The Las Vegas Aces' decision to acquire Smith speaks to their championship aspirations and their belief that she can contribute to their continued success. The Aces, winners of back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, were looking to bolster their frontcourt depth and add veteran leadership.

For the Aces, Smith represents a buy-low opportunity on a player with proven talent. Her struggles in Dallas may have been more about fit and circumstances than ability, and Las Vegas betting on her bounce-back potential makes strategic sense.

Smith's first appearance in an Aces uniform came against her former team, the Indiana Fever, on July 3, 2025—a poetic twist that highlighted the interconnected nature of her WNBA journey. Despite the Aces falling to the Fever 89-70 in a game where Caitlin Clark was rested, Smith's presence on the Las Vegas roster sent a clear message about the team's commitment to competing at the highest level.

The Human Side of Professional Sports

Smith's trade story illuminates the often-overlooked human element of professional sports transactions. While fans and analysts debate the strategic merits of trades, the athletes involved are dealing with real emotions, relationships, and life changes that extend far beyond the basketball court.

The separation from Carrington, the disappointment of her Dallas tenure, and the uncertainty of starting over with a new team all combined to create a perfect storm of emotional complexity. Smith's honest reaction provided a rare glimpse into the personal cost that athletes sometimes pay for the business decisions of their teams.

Looking Forward: Redemption in Las Vegas

As Smith settles into her new role with the Aces, the narrative shifts from heartbreak to opportunity. Playing alongside A'ja Wilson, one of the WNBA's most dominant players, offers Smith the chance to contribute to championship-level basketball while potentially revitalizing her career.

The Aces' championship culture and winning environment may be exactly what Smith needs to rediscover the form that made her an All-Rookie selection and a consistent double-figure scorer with Indiana. Sometimes a change of scenery, even when unexpected and emotionally difficult, can provide the catalyst for professional renewal.

For DiJonai Carrington and the Dallas Wings, the challenge becomes moving forward without a key player while dealing with the emotional aftermath of a trade that clearly affected everyone involved.

The Lasting Impact

NaLyssa Smith's trade to Las Vegas will be remembered not just for its basketball implications, but for the raw human emotion it revealed. In an era where athletes are often criticized for being too polished or corporate in their public communications, Smith's honest reaction provided a refreshing reminder that professional athletes are real people dealing with real emotions.

Her journey from Baylor championship glory to WNBA struggles to an unexpected fresh start in Las Vegas embodies the unpredictable nature of professional sports careers. Sometimes the most difficult moments become the catalyst for the greatest achievements.

As the 2025 WNBA season continues, Smith's story serves as a compelling reminder that behind every trade announcement, every roster move, and every business decision are human beings whose lives are genuinely affected by the outcomes.

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