The WNBA is splitting up one of the fans’ favorite power couples.
Dallas Wings star NaLyssa Smith will be testing if distance really makes the heart grow stronger after being traded away from the team where she played with girlfriend DiJonai Carrington.
Smith said she was “sick to my stomach” about her unexpected trade to the Las Vegas Aces. She's not the only one.
After years of playing on opposing teams, this season Smith and Carrington were finally playing together, but that all came to an end yesterday when the Wings announced they were trading Smith in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2027.
Smith and Carrington first started dating when the two played together at Baylor, and were excited about playing together again for the first time in years.
When the news broke, Smith took to X to write, "sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming but... i love you dallas nation, thank you 4 everything.”
Carrington posted photos of the couple together on and off the court, along with mending heart and infinity sign emojis. Smith also reposted this with the caption, “i love you wifeyyyy take care of tha kidsss."
Fans were also heartbroken that the lesbian basketball stars were getting split up again. TikTok women’s sports commentator Coach Jackie made a video about the trade, jokingly calling it the “most homophobic trade in WNBA history, while people on X called Aces head coach Becky Hammon “the devil,” and criticized the WNBA for trading players without their knowledge.
@jcubedhax Replying to @🥝 LIKE NOOOO #wnba #wbb #gay #greenscreen
"Traded a first round pick for… Nalyssa Smith. Alright I’m out. Becky Hammon you are the devil," someone wrote on X.
"the fact athletes can get traded without their knowledge is diabolical and needs changing," another person posted.
As disappointed as fans are, the trade makes sense for both teams since the Aces are having a weak season and are looking to add some strength to their team, and the Wings haven’t had a first-round pick in three years.
Some fans were also upset that this means Smith will no longer be playing alongside rookie Paige Bueckers, but Smith expressed excitement that she’ll be joining “my goat” in Las Vegas, likely referring to three-time WNBA MVP and two-time WNBA champion A'ja Wilson, CBS Sports reports.
"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," Smith wrote.
A soccer ball on the field.Tony Quinn/Shutterstock
Two players on the soccer field.Anton Vierietin/Shutterstock
Angel City FC Pride Unisex Protect Trans Lives Short Sleeve White T-Shirt for sale on the official Angel City FC website.
Queer Unrivaled players Paige Bueckers, Alyssa Thomas, and Courtney Williams with Natisha Hiedeman.
Lesbian and sapphic athletes celebrating with their partners.Footage still via Instagram @redrosesrugby; Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images; Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
