Curt Miller, coach of Wings, clarifies the trade of NaLyssa Smith to the Aces

**Dallas Wings Trade NaLyssa Smith for 2027 First-Round Pick: A Strategic Move Towards Rebuilding**

The Dallas Wings have made a strategic move towards rebuilding by trading forward NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. This trade, according to Wings' head coach Curt Miller, is a step towards long-term asset accumulation and rebuilding for Dallas, while Las Vegas is making a short-term gamble for frontcourt depth.

For the Dallas Wings, the acquisition of a 2027 first-round pick offers a valuable future asset that could significantly boost their rebuilding process. The 2027 WNBA Draft is considered atypical, and this pick could give Dallas a competitive edge in adding young talent, potentially enhancing the team's long-term competitiveness.

The trade also provides the Wings with salary cap flexibility, which can be used to invest in other players or extend contracts to promising talent like Paige Bueckers and newly developing frontcourt players such as Luisa Geiselsöder, Maddy Siegrist, and Li Yueru. This shift in focus towards developing younger frontcourt players indicates a move away from NaLyssa Smith, whose role diminished during the season after a slow start for the team.

On the other hand, the Las Vegas Aces are betting on Smith as a player who can bolster their frontcourt and contribute alongside star A'ja Wilson. They are gambling that Smith will regain her early-career form and help the team maintain competitiveness. However, this move means the Aces will not have a first-round draft pick again until at least 2028, signalling a reduction in their future roster-building flexibility.

Critics have noted Smith’s limited impact this season, with concerns about her shooting, passing, free-throw accuracy, and defense, making the Aces' sacrifice of a future first-round pick a risky bet on her potential development and fit within their roster.

The Dallas Wings are currently navigating a transition period, balancing competitiveness with future planning. The team's mental resilience amid adversity, including injuries and EuroBasket departures, has been credited for the turnaround in their season, going from a 1-11 start to a 4-2 record in the "Second Quarter" of games.

The departure of NaLyssa Smith has helped resolve an overcrowded frontcourt situation for the Wings, opening up more time for Luisa Geiselsöder and Myisha Hines-Allen. Teaira McCowan, Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, and Myisha Hines-Allen now make up the deepest frontcourt rotation for the Dallas Wings this season.

Curt Miller described the decision as a difficult one but necessary for building a long-term foundation. He mentioned the trade of Chelsea Gray for JJ [Jonquel Jones] as a favorite trade of his, suggesting that this deal could also benefit both teams. The Wings will return to practice on Wednesday before hosting the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night.

1.The upcoming NBA season is eagerly anticipated by basketball fans, with many looking forward to watching their favorite players compete on the hoops.

Desiring to improve their squad composition, the WNBA's Dallas Wings are utilizing their newfound salary cap flexibility to focus on acquiring promising players like Paige Bueckers and developing frontcourt talent.
Conversely, the Las Vegas Aces are counting on forward NaLyssa Smith to help secure frontcourt depth and maintain competitive edge, as they prepare for her arrival during the NBA offseason.
Though some sports analysts believe the Aces' trade for Smith represents a risky gamble, the Dallas Wings remain optimistic about their future prospects in the NBA, armed with their 2027 first-round pick and a deep frontcourt rotation.