The Dallas Wings have finalized a major acquisition, bringing Alanna Smith, the highly acclaimed co-Defensive Player of the Year from the 2025 WNBA season, to their roster. This move, announced by the team on Saturday evening, sees Smith committing to a three-year maximum contract. Her agent, Sammy Wloszczowski of the Sports International Group agency, confirmed the details of the agreement, signaling a significant strategic play by the Wings to enhance their team's defensive capabilities and overall performance.
Smith, aged 29, earned shared honors for the WNBA's individual defensive award in 2025 alongside A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Her exceptional performance also landed her a spot on the All-Defensive first team in 2025, following a second-team selection in 2024. Her impressive track record highlights her consistent impact on the defensive end of the court, making her a valuable asset for any team.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Smith proved her defensive dominance last season by ranking third in blocked shots with 80 and tying for tenth in steals with 55. Her contributions were instrumental in the Minnesota Lynx achieving the league's best regular-season record of 34-10 and securing the second-best scoring defense, averaging only 76.7 points allowed per game. Her ability to disrupt opponents' offenses is a key reason for her high regard in the league.
Wings general manager Curt Miller expressed immense enthusiasm for the new signing, emphasizing Smith's status as a premier two-way player in the WNBA. Miller noted her consistent influence on both offense and defense. He specifically lauded her defensive versatility, highlighting her capacity to execute various coverages and significantly impact shots in the paint. From an offensive perspective, Miller is excited about pairing Smith with the team's existing strong guards, believing her ability to play effectively both inside and outside will create dynamic opportunities.
During her last season with the Lynx, Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.9 blocks over 42 regular-season games, all of which she started, playing an average of 26.5 minutes per game. Her playoff statistics were equally solid, with averages of 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks across six starts, averaging 23.5 minutes. Over her professional career, the Australian native has accumulated career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 183 regular-season appearances, with 117 starts. Her journey in the WNBA includes stints with the Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023), and the Minnesota Lynx (2024-25).
In a heartfelt Instagram message, Smith reflected on her time with the Minnesota Lynx, expressing deep gratitude for the support and affection she received. She described how the team and the city welcomed her with open arms, making her feel at home as an Australian player. Smith shared that her experience in Minnesota would forever hold a special place in her heart. She was originally drafted eighth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by Phoenix, following a successful collegiate career at Stanford.
This strategic signing of Alanna Smith marks a significant milestone for the Dallas Wings, bolstering their defensive unit with one of the league's most effective players. Her proven track record, versatility, and leadership qualities are poised to make a substantial positive impact on the team's pursuit of future championships. The acquisition underscores the Wings' commitment to building a competitive and formidable squad, leveraging Smith's two-way talent to achieve their goals.
