DHJ Quick Take: The Ultimate Two-Way Anchor
- A Historic Defensive Force: Alanna Smith arrives in Dallas coming off a career year where she set the Minnesota Lynx single-season record for blocks (80). As one of only eight players in league history to hit that mark in a season, her ability to protect the rim alongside Awak Kuier and Li Yueru gives the Wings arguably the most feared frontcourt rotation in the WNBA.
- The “Unrivaled” Chemistry: This isn’t a “get to know you” signing. Smith just won the 2026 Unrivaled championship as teammates with Arike Ogunbowale and Li Yueru on Mist BC. That existing shorthand with the franchise’s two pillars should eliminate the typical “new team” learning curve.
- Modern Versatility: Miller‘s “top target” was selected for a reason: Smith was the only player in the league last year to record 400 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 80 blocks, and 50 three-pointers. Her ability to stretch the floor (playing “outside”) while elite rim-protecting (playing “inside”) makes her the perfect tactical partner for Paige Bueckers.
- Global Pedigree: Beyond her WNBA accolades, the Hobart, Australia native is a verified international star. Fresh off an Olympic All-Star Five selection in Paris and a dominant showing at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Smith brings a “win-first” veteran temperament to a locker room preparing for a championship push.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings have signed reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith to a three-year maximum contract, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal. The 6-foot-4 forward joins Dallas following two standout seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, giving the Wings one of the most impactful two-way players in the league.
General manager Curt Miller said Smith was the organization’s primary target from the moment free agency opened.
“Alanna Smith was our top target going into free agency after her outstanding 2025 season,” Miller said. “As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility — she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively, we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside. Ultimately, she possesses the personal character that we wanted to add to our locker room — where we want to win first. Her journey in the WNBA is a testament to her perseverance, rising to be the highly decorated player she is today, and we can’t wait to welcome her to Dallas.”
What Alanna Smith Brings
Smith appeared and started in all 42 regular-season games for Minnesota in 2025, averaging 9.6 points on 48.5% shooting, along with 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.3 steals in 26.3 minutes per contest. She was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year and named to the All-Defensive First Team following the season.
Her shot-blocking was historically productive. Smith finished third in the league in both blocks per game and total blocks with 80, setting a Lynx single-season franchise record and becoming just the eighth player in WNBA history to record 80 or more blocks in a season. She has finished in the top seven in blocks in each of the last three seasons.
The 2025 campaign also featured individual standout moments — a career-best 6 steals against Chicago on July 12 and a 6-block performance against Washington on June 24 that tied her career high and the Minnesota franchise record. She closed the regular season as the only player in the WNBA to record at least 400 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists, 80 blocks, and 50 three-point field goals.
A Seven-Year Journey to Dallas Wings
Smith was originally selected eighth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury and has since played for Indiana (2022) and Chicago (2023) before joining Minnesota for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Her path to becoming one of the league’s premier two-way players has been a steady climb — one Miller specifically acknowledged in his statement.
The Hobart, Australia native has also been a fixture with the Australian national team. She was named to the All-Star Five at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Opals won a bronze medal, and most recently helped Australia to a perfect 5-0 record at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Istanbul, averaging 11.6 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds per game. Her international résumé also includes silver medal finishes at the 2018 FIBA World Cup and 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.
Smith joins Dallas, having already built chemistry with two of her new teammates. She competed alongside Arike Ogunbowale and Li Yueru on Mist BC at Unrivaled this past offseason, contributing 9.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as the club won the 2026 championship.
A Busy Offseason in Dallas
The Smith signing is the headlining move in an offseason that has reshaped the Wings’ roster from top to bottom.
Ogunbowale was re-signed on a multi-year deal after accepting less than her $1.4 million supermax qualifying offer, giving the front office additional flexibility. Center Awak Kuier returned after three dominant seasons in Europe, where she led the Euroleague in blocks this past season with Galatasaray. Forward Jessica Shepard, who led the WNBA in field goal percentage in 2025, also signed with Dallas.
Center Li Yueru and guard Grace Berger accepted qualifying offers as restricted free agents. In a salary-clearing move, the Wings traded forward Diamond Miller to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for center/forward Rayah Marshall. The Portland Fire claimed forward Luisa Geiselsöder and guard/forward Haley Jones in last week’s WNBA Expansion Draft.
Up Next for the Dallas Wings
Dallas holds the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13, along with the No. 31 overall selection.
The Wings open the 2026 season on the road against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 9, at noon CT, before making their home debut at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. against the Atlanta Dream.
More Wings & WNBA Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘A Huge Priority’: Curt Miller Details Why Dallas Wings Brought Back Center Awak Kuier
- ‘High Basketball IQ’: Curt Miller Details Why Jessica Shepard Was A Free-Agent Priority For The Dallas Wings
- Sources: Dallas Wings Agree To Multi-Year Deal With Jessica Shepard In WNBA Free Agency
- Sources: Arike Ogunbowale Re-Signing With Dallas Wings On Historic Multi-Year Deal
- Sources: Dallas Wings Re-Signing Awak Kuier After Overseas Development
- Dallas Wings Trade Diamond Miller To Connecticut Sun, Acquire Rayah Marshall In Salary-Clearing Move
- Dallas Wings Extend Core Offer To Arike Ogunbowale, Qualifying Offers To Li Yueru And Grace Berger
- Portland Fire Select Luisa Geiselsöder, Haley Jones From Dallas Wings In 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft
