NaLyssa Smith has one year left on her contract with the Indiana Fever. However, it seems as though she is not content with her current role and will seek a trade during the offseason.
All of this speculation stems from a small, but profound change to the 24-year-old’s Instagram bio.
Smith averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and one assist per game during the 2024 regular season and finished fourth on the team in scoring. However, her success was fairly sporadic — with some 21-point games and some five-point games — and her minutes dwindled toward the end of the year.
To make matters worse, she played only 13 total minutes in two playoff games.
Smith was already fed up with her lack of role on Christie Sides’ team back in May. It has been an ongoing issue throughout the entire season. The minimal usage in the playoffs made it much worse.
Her girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington, demanded for Smith to be “freed” by the Indiana Fever shortly after the Connecticut Sun ended their season on Wednesday night. Smith is clearly disgruntled.
If that was not already clear, it is now!
NaLyssa Smith is frustrated.
Smith’s bio on Instagram previously listed the Fever as her employer. The bio only lists the WNBA as of Thursday afternoon and does not mention a specific team.
There is not much room for interpretation here and a follow-up post also leans into the drama.
She wants out of Indiana, which could get messy because of the current contract situation. Smith will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season and remains under contract for 2025.
That leaves a few different possibilities:
- Smith requests a trade and…
- The Fever agrees.
- The Fever says no.
- Smith plays for the Fever anyway.
- The Fever play next season without Smith on the court while she is still under contract.
- Smith is selected by the Valkyrie in the expansion draft.
Stay tuned. This saga has only just begun!