It had only been a couple of months since NaLyssa Smith ended up on the same team as her girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington, with the Dallas Wings, after being part of a four-team trade involving the Mercury, Fever, and Sun. And while things were going quite smoothly after Carrington came from the Sun and Smith arrived from Indiana, that was only until now, as the guard suddenly got traded to the Las Vegas Aces. Yes, it’s one of the most shocking moves, even for Smith. But it would be Carrington who tops the list of those most stunned, as she was among the first to react. The damage, however, was already done. But still, Smith knows how to heal!
It all comes up just moments after Carrington responded to the news with a single broken heart emoji on X, along with some snaps of the couple spending time together in Dallas. But Carrington wasn’t the only one expressing heartbreak – Smith chimed in too, writing, “Sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming…” And it all makes sense. While the former Wings forward was averaging only 6.7 points with 4.9 rebounds in 18 minutes of gameplay, it is the second time in six months that she has been traded. So now, Smith has to leave, but before she goes, she has a special message for someone even more special.
“i love you wifeyyyy take care of tha kidsss,” penned Lyss on X. No, Smith and Carrington don’t have any biological children, but they do have a pair of dogs. And yes, they’re not just dogs, they’re “babies” for this W couple. And it’s because whether it’s a WNBA tunnel walk or a cozy morning in bed, their beloved dogs – Mr.3 and Mr.7 – are often in the picture, having become fan-favorite mascots in their own right.
i love you wifeyyyy take care of tha kidsss https://t.co/PLZKc2aOlM
— #1 (@NaLyssaSmith) June 30, 2025
Just consider, Nai’s brown poodle, Mr. Three – nicknamed “Threeski” and lovingly referred to as her “stinky man”, has even stolen hearts courtside, matching Carrington’s fashion-forward fur coat during a playoff entrance. And not just this, the furry duo also makes frequent appearances in viral TikTok videos, including a series titled “Poodle Diaries,” capturing the essence of their little family.
And they’ve proven useful for the Wings, too – especially for Paige Bueckers – as they were among the stars of a clever All-Star campaign. Dressed in Wings jerseys, the dogs helped the team capture fan attention on Instagram with the caption: “Doodles & poodles for All-Star.” And yes, it worked.
While Bueckers ranked 6th in fan voting with a whopping 805,471 votes, ultimately earning a starting spot at guard, Carrington landed 27th in early fan returns with 77,072 votes, and Ogunbowale followed up at 34th with 60,947 votes. Now you know why Smith wanted Carrington to take care of their “kids.” But while it’s a sad departure for the couple, it might not necessarily be a sad one for Smith.
It could be a revival for NaLyssa Smith!
No doubt, Smith’s W journey has taken another unexpected turn – but if you ask her, it’s exactly where she wants to be. The former No. 2 overall pick and Baylor standout is heading to Las Vegas after a rocky season with the Dallas Wings, and she’s making it clear: she’s ready for a fresh start. “If I could’ve chosen anywhere to go, it would’ve been Vegas,” she wrote in an emotional goodbye, adding she’s “hella excited” for this new opportunity.
After all, this move comes after a tough stretch for the Texas native, as her time in Dallas didn’t quite live up to expectations. But that doesn’t mean the fire’s gone. No, because that’s what Aces are betting on.
Jun 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Wings forward NaLyssa Smith (1) against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
And they’ve got a reason too, as Smith has won a national championship at Baylor as a freshman, earned All-Rookie honors in 2022 with the Fever, and was once seen as a cornerstone for the franchise. But it was after CC’s arrival in Indiana that her role shifted, and her momentum slowed further during her stint with the Wings. Still, she left Dallas with grace, thanking “Dallas Nation” for everything, as now she joins a Las Vegas Aces squad hungry to reclaim their dominance. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings, sitting at 5-13, have the second-worst record in the league and are clearly more focused on building for the future with possibly one brick at a time.
To make space for the new arrival, the Aces parted ways with Tiffany Mitchell and Elizabeth Kitley. Mitchell, a 10-year vet, was averaging 3.7 points this season. Kitley, the 2024 second-round pick, had 1.3 points per game over 12 outings. So, if there was any doubt left, this move screams: The Aces are all-in. After Monday’s trade, Las Vegas doesn’t hold a first-round draft pick until 2028, which basically means they’ve pushed all their chips to the center of the table.
The post NaLyssa Smith Bids Tearful Goodbye to DiJonai Carrington as She Leaves Her in Charge of the “Kids” After Wings Exit appeared first on EssentiallySports.