As the WNBA trade deadline approaches on Aug. 7, teams are exploring ways to improve without upsetting the delicate balance of the hard salary cap. While blockbuster moves may be unlikely, targeted upgrades remain possible, particularly for playoff-hopeful teams like the Indiana Fever.
A trade idea from ESPN’s Kevin Pelton that fits the league’s tight financial and competitive landscape: the Indiana Fever acquire Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen to shore up their frontcourt rotation.
This would mark the second in-season trade involving Hines-Allen, who joined the Wings from the Minnesota Lynx earlier this year. Now with Maddy Siegrist expected to return from a knee injury and the Wings sliding out of playoff contention, Dallas could consider flipping Hines-Allen to recoup value.
Here’s the deal:
Indiana Fever receive: F Myisha Hines-Allen
Dallas Wings receive: C Damiris Dantas, 2026 second-round pick
Why It Makes Sense for the Indiana Fever
The Fever have a foundational frontcourt duo in Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, but lack consistent depth behind them. Adding Hines-Allen would give Indiana another experienced forward who can play either frontcourt spot and hit the glass. She’s averaged 6.4 points and 5.3 rebounds this season in 21.3 minutes per game, and while her 3-point shooting has dipped to 29.6%, she’s a career 34.7% shooter from deep — well-suited for a stretch role in the second unit.
Hines-Allen also brings postseason experience, including key contributions during Washington’s 2019 championship run. Her physicality and floor spacing could be valuable for a young Indiana team hoping to build momentum into the playoffs.
Why It Makes Sense for the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas continues to navigate one of the toughest stretches in its schedule, playing six games in 11 days with a short-handed rotation. Hines-Allen was unavailable Sunday against Las Vegas but is active for Monday night’s matchup against the New York Liberty. Her role has fluctuated since arriving in Dallas, and the team’s frontcourt will only get more crowded when Siegrist returns from injury.
Moving Hines-Allen now would allow the Wings to get value before she hits free agency, while also opening up more minutes for young pieces down the stretch. In return, they’d acquire Damiris Dantas, a 6-foot-4 center on an expiring deal, and a future draft pick.
Dantas hasn’t been a major contributor this season, but she offers similar spacing ability (career 34% from deep) and can provide short-term coverage behind Teaira McCowan. Perhaps the most impactful part of this idea would be to potentially maintain a clear runway for Haley Jones to play a key role. Including a 15-point performance against the Las Vegas Aces, Jones has scored double figures in four straight games, averaging 11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.
Outlook
This isn’t a headline-grabbing move, but it fits the needs and timelines of both teams. Indiana adds a proven contributor for its playoff rotation without giving up core assets, while Dallas makes a sensible decision to retool with an eye toward the future.
As the deadline nears, small but strategic trades like this could make the biggest difference.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “We’re Being Extremely Cautious”: Dallas Wings Regain Paige Bueckers and Myisha Hines-Allen for Matchup vs. New York Liberty
- WNBA News: “We Got Stagnant”: Dallas Wings Rest Paige Bueckers, Struggle Late in Loss to Las Vegas Aces
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Rest Paige Bueckers vs. Las Vegas Aces as Part of Long-Term Workload Plan
- WNBA News: “It’s What I Do”: Teaira McCowan Delivers Breakout Performance in Loss to Las Vegas Aces
