Australian Opals star Alanna Smith has signed a three-year deal with WNBA team the Dallas Wings.

The 29-year-old free agent joins Dallas after a two-season stint with the Minnesota Lynx, where she was named the WNBA's Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.

Broadcaster ESPN reported that Smith has agreed to a three-year max contract, according to her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of the Sports International Group agency.

Smith shared honours with Las Vegas Aces centre A'ja Wilson for the individual award, and also was selected to the All-Defensive first team in 2025. She had been named to the second team in 2024.

The 6-foot-4 (1.93m) Smith ranked third in blocked shots (80) and tied for 10th in steals (55) last season while helping Minnesota rack up the league's best regular-season record (34-10) and rank second in scoring defence (76.7).

Tasmanian-born Smith averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 42 regular-season games (all starts) for the Lynx last season.

She also averaged 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 23.5 minutes in six playoff games (all starts).

For her WNBA career, Smith is averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks and 20.9 minutes in 183 regular-season games (117 starts) for the Phoenix Mercury (2019-21), Indiana Fever (2022), Chicago Sky (2023) and Lynx (2024-25).

"It's hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me," Smith wrote in an Instagram post.

"This team and this city embraced me and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms. Forever will hold a special place in my heart."

Phoenix selected Smith with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft out of Stanford.

Smith was part of the Australian team that won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She also won silver with the Opals at the 2018 FIBA World Cup in Spain, and silver at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in India.

The Dallas Wings were delighted to snare the brilliant Australian, who also played in the WNBL with the Adelaide Lightning.

"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," Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement.

"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."

- with AAP