Sep 23, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) celebrates making a shot against the Phoenix Mercury in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 23, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) celebrates making a shot against the Phoenix Mercury in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
While Alanna Smith finished the arrangements for her long stay in Dallas, there was a little disappointment she couldn’t help.
The Co-Defensive Player of the Year and former Minnesota Lynx star had picked up her Dallas Wings jersey for the 2026 season. However, did Dallas live up to Smith's expectations? Well, Smith’s answer was clear.
“When I visited, I didn’t get to see much of this place. But I had assumptions that it was like the wild west out here, like all cowboy hats and cowboy boots,” Smith said. “So, I’ve been maybe a little bit disappointed that it’s not like that. More cowboy hats. Where are they?”
And Smith isn’t half wrong. As an integral part of the Dallas culture, even the franchise has the tradition of welcoming its rookies with cowboy hats. Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd could vouch for that.
However, as one of the renowned defensive pillars of her generation and a 7-year veteran, she signed a record-breaking three-year, $3.75 million maximum deal as one of the team's top free-agent targets.
The deal came after a career year in 2025, where she was named WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year with A'ja Wilson and was selected to the All-Defensive First Team.
Being the senior that she is, the 6’4 star fell out of that tradition. But 3 years is enough time for Smith to explore the Texas heritage, to spot more cowboy hats and boots during special events.
But jokes aside, she admitted the pressure of being in Dallas, too.
Alanna Smith on the Pressure of Being at the Dallas Wings
For defensive impact, Smith matches A’Ja Wilson’s calibre. Being named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2024 and First Team in 2025, she will be expected to lead the Wings' defense. And that comes with certain pressure.
“I think there’s a little bit of pressure, but I’ve been in moments or teams before where maybe expectations have been different to what the outcomes have been,” Smith said. “So, I trust the process. And I think we have the right pieces to be successful, and I’m just excited to get going.”
The Wings posted a 111.7 defensive rating during the 2024 WNBA regular season.
Wings’ defense improved a bit in the 2025 WNBA regular season, but it still ranked near the bottom of the league with a 109.9 defensive rating.
But do you think things will be different this year? Comment it down.
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Utsav Gupta