The Las Vegas aces are navigating a pivotal offseason filled with uncertainty as the WNBA free agency period looms. With key decisions to make, the team faces challenges in retaining its star players and managing its roster under tight salary cap constraints. Here’s a deep dive into the Aces’ current situation and what lies ahead.
Kelsey Plum’s Future Hangs in the Balance
The Aces’ offseason is clouded by questions surrounding All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, an unrestricted free agent who has yet to commit to returning to Las Vegas. Plum, the 2017 No. 1 draft pick, is a cornerstone of the team’s “Core Four,” alongside three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, 2022 Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, and 2022 Most Improved Player jackie Young. While Wilson, Gray, and Young are signed through 2025, Plum’s future remains uncertain.
Former general manager Natalie Williams revealed that Plum was offered an extension but declined it. Despite this, the Aces retain the option to designate Plum as a “core” player, a move akin to the NFL’s franchise tag. This would guarantee her a one-year supermax contract while restricting her ability to sign with another team directly. While plum being “cored” is highly likely, it doesn’t guarantee her return. A sign-and-trade deal could be on the table, with potential destinations including the Golden State Valkyries or the Chicago Sky, both led by former Aces assistants.
other Free Agents and Cap Space Challenges
Beyond Plum, the Aces must address the futures of veterans Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes, and Sydney Colson, all of whom are unrestricted free agents. All three have expressed a desire to stay in Las Vegas, but retaining them may prove difficult due to salary cap limitations. The team also has center queen Egbo, a reserved free agent, to consider.
Currently,the Aces have six players under contract for 2025,leaving $656,520 in cap space. Designating Plum as a core player would consume $249,244 of that amount,further tightening the budget. Protected veterans Wilson, Gray, and Young have guaranteed salaries, while Kiah Stokes and Megan Gustafson’s contracts are unprotected, meaning the Aces aren’t obligated to pay them if they don’t make the roster. Kierstan bell, on a protected rookie scale deal, adds another layer of complexity to the team’s financial planning.
Front Office Uncertainty
Compounding the Aces’ challenges is the absence of a general manager. Natalie Williams’ contract wasn’t renewed in October, and her replacement has yet to be named. This leaves the team without a primary negotiator as they navigate free agency and roster decisions.
Key Dates and What’s Next
The free agency window opens on January 21, allowing teams to negotiate with players, though official signings can’t occur until February 1.The Aces’ ability to make strategic moves during this period will be critical to their success in the upcoming season.| Key points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Kelsey Plum’s Status | Unrestricted free agent; likely to be “cored” but could explore sign-and-trade options. |
| Other Free Agents | Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes, Sydney Colson, and Queen Egbo. |
| Cap Space | $656,520 remaining; $249,244 would be used if Plum is cored. |
| Protected Veterans | A’ja Wilson, chelsea Gray, Jackie Young. |
| Unprotected Contracts | kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson. |
| Front Office | No GM in place; negotiations handled by restructured front office. |
Conclusion
The Las Vegas Aces are at a crossroads this offseason, with critical decisions to make regarding their roster and salary cap management. Retaining Kelsey Plum and other key veterans will require strategic maneuvering, especially given the team’s financial constraints and front office uncertainty. As free agency unfolds, the Aces’ ability to navigate thes challenges will shape their trajectory for the 2025 season and beyond.
The Las Vegas Aces are navigating a pivotal offseason marked by front office restructuring, the loss of key personnel, and the challenges of the WNBA expansion draft. With no official general manager in place, head coach Becky Hammon and her team are relying on a collaborative approach to manage roster decisions and free agency.
Front Office Uncertainty
The Aces have been without a general manager since the departure of Dan Padover earlier this year. Team president Nikki Fargas has remained tight-lipped about the front office’s future structure, stating that the institution is taking its time to determine the best path forward.
Hammon,who has been instrumental in shaping the team’s direction,emphasized that decision-making has become a collective effort. “Planning for the expansion draft was definitely more by committee,” Hammon said. She also highlighted the contributions of vice president of basketball operations Tonya Holley and assistant coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson, among others.
“I think we have a lot of able people,” Hammon added. “I don’t know if they plan on filling out that space or not. But I can tell you right now, everybody’s helping and giving as much as they can.”
Expansion draft Fallout
The Aces faced a significant loss in the WNBA expansion draft when rookie Kate Martin was selected by the Valkyries. Martin, who had shown promise, was released from her contract as a result. This move has left the Aces with one less young talent to develop, adding pressure to their offseason strategy.
Additionally,the aces are closely monitoring the status of rookie center liz Kitley,whom Hammon has praised since drafting her in 2024. Kitley, who suffered an ACL injury during her collegiate career at Virginia Tech, signed with the Aces but did not play last season. The team suspended her contract, allowing her to focus on rehabilitation while utilizing team resources.
Kitley is expected to sign an unprotected rookie scale deal, and the Aces appear committed to retaining her despite her injury history.
Coaching Staff Additions
Amid the front office shuffle, Hammon has been busy bolstering her coaching staff. She recently hired two new assistants: Ty Ellis and Larry Lewis. Both bring valuable experience, with Lewis having a background in NBA coaching. These additions aim to strengthen the Aces’ coaching infrastructure as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Free Agency and Roster Decisions
With free agency looming, the Aces are taking a collaborative approach to evaluate potential signings. Hammon noted that Natalie Williams, who previously led free agency efforts, played a crucial role in past years. However, the obligation is now shared among the coaching staff and front office personnel.
“Rounding up my staff is priority No. 1 for me,” Hammon said. “Then we’ll do a deep dive into responsibilities, roles, and who’s doing what. As far as looking at college players and free agents, we’re all going to be collaborating on that together.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| General Manager | No official GM; decisions made by committee. |
| Expansion Draft Loss | Kate Martin selected by Valkyries. |
| Rookie Focus | Liz Kitley expected to sign rookie deal despite ACL injury. |
| Coaching Additions | Ty Ellis and Larry Lewis join Hammon’s staff.|
| Free Agency Strategy | Collaborative approach led by Hammon and front office team. |
Looking Ahead
As the Aces continue to navigate this transitional period, the focus remains on building a competitive roster for the 2024 season. With Hammon at the helm and a dedicated team supporting her, the Aces are poised to overcome these challenges and remain a force in the WNBA.
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Continue her recovery without counting against the roster or salary cap. Kitley’s progress will be a key factor in the Aces’ long-term planning, as her potential return could bolster the team’s frontcourt depth.
Roster and Salary Cap Challenges
The Aces are also grappling with significant roster and salary cap challenges. As highlighted earlier, Kelsey Plum’s free agency status looms large, and the team must decide whether to designate her as a core player or explore sign-and-trade options. Beyond Plum, the Aces must address the futures of veterans Alysha clark, Tiffany hayes, and Sydney Colson, all of whom are unrestricted free agents. Retaining these players will require careful financial maneuvering, as the team currently has onyl $656,520 in cap space for the 2025 season.
The Aces’ protected veterans—A’ja Wilson,Chelsea Grey,and Jackie Young—are guaranteed salaries,further limiting adaptability. Simultaneously occurring,the contracts of Kiah Stokes and megan Gustafson are unprotected,meaning the team could release them without financial obligation if they don’t make the roster. Kierstan Bell, on a protected rookie scale deal, adds another layer of complexity to the team’s financial planning.
Free Agency and Key Dates
The free agency window opens on January 21, allowing teams to negotiate with players, though official signings can’t occur until February 1. The Aces’ ability to make strategic moves during this period will be critical to their success in the upcoming season. Potential sign-and-trade scenarios involving Plum could reshape the roster, with teams like the Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky emerging as possible destinations.
Conclusion
The Las Vegas Aces are at a crossroads this offseason, facing a combination of front office uncertainty, roster challenges, and salary cap constraints.Retaining key players like Kelsey Plum and other veterans will require strategic decision-making and financial creativity.As the team navigates free agency and prepares for the 2025 season, the collaborative efforts of Becky Hammon and the restructured front office will be crucial in shaping the Aces’ future. the coming months will determine whether the Aces can maintain their status as one of the WNBA’s elite teams or face a period of transition and rebuilding.
