A Shocking WNBA Trade Splits Up A Queer Power Couple—And Fans Are Not Happy
NaLyssa Smith says she “never [saw] this coming.”
The Dallas Wings have officially split up notorious WNBA couple NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington with an unexpected trade on the last day of Pride month. Basketball lesbians have entered into a mourning period alongside the two players who were seemingly blindsided by the decision.
In return for Smith, the Wings have picked up the 2027 first-round draft pick from the Las Vegas Aces, Smith’s new team. While Smith’s low-scoring performances have not helped the Wings’ 5-13 season, it was a shock to the team’s fans who saw Smith as an integral part of the team’s more recent wins.
Expressing her own shock with the trade, Smith tweeted, “sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming but .. i love you dallas nation, thank you 4 everything.” Smith’s on-and-off-again partner, fellow Wings teammate DiJonai Carrington, tweeted her own tribute to their Dallas life together with a selection of sweet photos.
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The pair has been linked romantically since their time at Baylor and caught queer WNBA fans’ attention when Smith picked up Carrington during a game and held on just a little longer than normal. Smith and Carrington had yet to play together in the professional league until it was announced in February that they would both be traded to the Wings.
While their time with the Texas franchise was short-lived, they made a mark on the fanbase and even became known as the adoptive parents of star Paige Bueckers due to their almost instant bond with the young player. In response to Carrington’s post, Smith commented back, “i love you wifeyyyy take care of tha kidsss.” Can you believe the WNBA is out here breaking up families on the last day of Pride month? Do they know who their fanbase is?
Smith will find a welcoming queer environment in Las Vegas led by the WNBA’s most outspoken ally, and reigning MVP, A’ja Wilson, whose Pride cakes have become legend in the league. Despite her sadness at leaving the team, Smith expressed her excitement to join the Aces, writing, “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.”
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The trade was announced among other major announcements in the league, including WNBA expansion teams in Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Detroit, Wings star Paige Bueckers being named an all-star starter, and a number of shocking cuts from current teams. Well, at least the one thing the WNBA will always have going for it is its unimaginable chaos.
