WNBA Star DiJonai Carrington Emotionally Shaken After Girlfriend NaLyssa Smith Is Traded in Shocking Move by Dallas Wings

July 30, 2025 – The WNBA community was stunned this week as a surprise trade sent shockwaves through the league, and through the hearts of two players who are not only former teammates and current professionals — but also in a committed relationship.

In what many are calling one of the most emotionally charged trades of the season, NaLyssa Smith was traded by the struggling Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick. While the deal might make sense from a team-building perspective on paper, the personal toll has quickly taken center stage — particularly for Smith’s girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington.

Trade Announcement Catches Everyone Off Guard — Including the Player Herself

The trade was officially announced by the Las Vegas Aces on Monday, July 29, via a simple post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Las Vegas has acquired NaLyssa Smith from the Dallas Wings in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick.”

What the post didn’t show was the emotional weight behind it. According to multiple sources, the deal blindsided Smith, who reportedly received little to no warning from the Wings’ front office before being shipped out.

Smith herself took to X shortly after the announcement, posting:

“Sick to my stomach fr, never thought it would happen… I love Dallas, thank you for everything.”

The response was immediate. Fans flooded the replies with support, expressing heartbreak, shock, and confusion. But the emotional fallout didn’t end there.

Heartbreak on Social Media: Carrington Reacts in Real Time

Shortly after the news broke, DiJonai Carrington, currently recovering from a rib injury, posted a simple yet devastating broken heart emoji on X. Minutes later, she followed it with a photo collage of herself and Smith — on and off the court — with no caption. The silence said more than words ever could.

Carrington and Smith have been in a relationship since their college days at Baylor, and have remained close ever since. Fans who have followed their story — through Instagram posts, pregame rituals, and joint appearances — immediately understood the weight of the trade not just from a basketball standpoint, but from a deeply personal one.

Many fans took to social media to call out the Dallas Wings for what they saw as “emotional disregard” toward one of their own players. Some even speculated whether personal relationships had factored into the decision — though no such claims have been substantiated.

Smith’s Struggles and Dallas’ Motivation

From a business perspective, the move was not entirely unexpected.

The Wings have been in freefall this season, entering the trade at 1–11, one of the worst starts in franchise history. NaLyssa Smith — once seen as a cornerstone of the rebuild — has struggled in 2025, averaging career-lows in both scoring (6.7 PPG) and rebounding (4.9 RPG) through 18 games.

Still, the decision to move her so abruptly and so early in the season — especially given her strong chemistry with Carrington and others in the locker room — struck many as a cold, impersonal calculation.

One WNBA reporter put it bluntly:

“This wasn’t just about basketball. This felt like a gut-punch to a locker room that’s already been through enough.”

What This Means for Carrington

The trade arrives at a particularly difficult time for DiJonai Carrington, who has been out of action due to a rib injury sustained earlier this month. She was recently listed as “doubtful” for back-to-back games and has not suited up since mid-July.

Head coach Chris Koclanes offered a brief update before the Wings’ last home game:

“It’s a tricky injury. We’re being extremely cautious and trusting our medical staff. But I’m excited — she’s closer to returning than most people realize.”

Carrington is expected to rejoin the lineup in early August, potentially during the Wings’ upcoming road trip. However, with Smith now in Las Vegas, she’ll be returning to a very different emotional landscape.

Wings in Disarray: Can They Recover?

It’s no secret that the Dallas Wings have underperformed this year. Despite a roster with young talent and high expectations, the team has struggled mightily on both ends of the court. Injuries to key players — including Paige Bueckers, who has been sidelined with a knee injury — have only added to the turbulence.

The trade of Smith, while potentially necessary from a salary or rebuild perspective, risks further destabilizing team morale. Players like Carrington, who have been foundational in building team culture, are now dealing with not just physical recovery — but emotional fallout.

There is growing concern about whether the Wings’ front office may have underestimated the interpersonal consequences of such a decision.

The Aces’ Perspective: Smith Gets a Fresh Start

On the other side of the equation, the Las Vegas Aces appear thrilled to have acquired Smith. Although she’s had a down year statistically, the 24-year-old forward is just one season removed from averaging over 14 points per game and dominating the glass.

With Candace Parker nearing retirement and A’ja Wilson needing frontcourt support, Smith could thrive in a system built around high ball movement and veteran leadership.

If she rediscovers her form, the Aces might have pulled off one of the steals of the season — all for a pick that won’t come into play until 2027.

Fans React: From Support to Outrage

Social media has lit up with mixed emotions since the trade. While some fans are excited for Smith to have a new opportunity with a championship-contending team, others are deeply troubled by what they perceive as the Wings’ “cold-hearted handling” of the situation.

One top comment on X read:

“How do you tear a couple apart mid-season and think that’s going to help team chemistry???”

Another went viral for pointing out the contrast between men’s leagues and the WNBA:

“Imagine if an NBA team traded someone’s wife without even a conversation. The backlash would be nuclear.”

What’s Next for Smith and Carrington?

For now, Smith is headed west, where she’ll join the Aces in practice later this week. No public statement has yet been released by her or the team beyond the initial trade confirmation.

Carrington, meanwhile, remains in Dallas — but for how long?

Some fans are now wondering aloud whether the Wings might eventually move her as well, especially if the emotional strain becomes a distraction or if her contract situation calls for reevaluation.

Regardless, both players will need time — and space — to process what this trade means not just for their careers, but for their relationship.

Final Thoughts: A Trade That’s More Than Just Basketball

This trade may go down as one of the most memorable of the 2025 WNBA season — not for the stats, not for the draft picks, but for the raw humanity at its core.

Professional sports are often said to be a business first. But when that business rips apart a real-life bond, especially in a tight-knit league like the WNBA, it becomes harder to separate the game from the people playing it.

In a season filled with buzzer-beaters, controversial calls, and breakout stars, this story stands out for a very different reason.

And as fans continue to ask questions, one thing is certain: This was more than just a trade.