WNBA Offseason Primer: Las Vegas Aces

January 15 marked the official start of WNBA free agency. The WNBA released an official list of core players, reserved players, unrestricted free agents and restricted free agents.

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With the help of The Summitt’s WNBA salaries database compiled by our own Howard Megdal, we’ll take a look at each WNBA team going into free agency, aiming to answer the following questions:

• Which players are free agents?
• Which players are still under contract?
• Who are some potential prospects worth targeting in the upcoming WNBA Draft?
• Which players on the free agent markets would be good fits to add for 2018?

The San Antonio Stars finished last season with a record of 8-26. The Stars were in a tough spot to start the season — Kelsey Plum and Moriah Jefferson were both banged up, missing San Antonio’s first three games. Kayla McBride missed the team’s first two as she finished up her season overseas.

The Stars went 8-12 to close the season after losing their first 14. Jefferson was shut down for the season in August (knee). She will be rehabbing during the offseason, and the Aces have indicated that she will be an integral piece in the team’s marketing strategy leading up to the start of the 2018 season.

Once news broke of the move to Las Vegas, the door was wide open for the franchise to shake things up; head coach Vickie Johnson had been working on a one year contract. Bill Laimbeer was hired to fill the dual head coach/GM role for the Aces.

Now let’s break down Las Vegas’ situation — current free agents, players still under contract and the status of their 2018 draft picks.

Unrestricted free agents (UFAs): F Alex Montgomery, G Shay Murphy

Restricted free agents (RFAs): G/F Kayla McBride, G Sydney Colson

Reserved players: G Sequoia Holmes, F Cierra Burdick, F Valeriane Ayayi (appeared in 16 games for the Stars in 2015, currently playing overseas)

Core player: N/A

Players under contract:

• G Moriah Jefferson through 2019 (team option)
• G Kelsey Plum through 2020 (team option)
• C Kayla Alexander (contract details unknown — re-signed February 2, 2017)
• F Isabelle Harrison through 2019 (team option)
• F Dearica Hamby through 2018
• F Nia Coffey through 2019

2018 draft picks: No. 1, No. 13, No. 25 and No. 32 (via Phoenix)

South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft. Should the Aces select Wilson, their frontcourt would be in good shape with Alexander, Harrison and Hamby each set to return. 2017 draftee Nia Coffey (7.8 minutes per game last season) would be in the mix, too, for Bill Laimbeer and the Aces up front.

So, I know it’s fun to think up fun trades, especially in the offseason. For the record, I’ll make my thoughts known on a topic many WNBA fans/observers/media seem to have been cautiously dancing around for quite some time: I think it’d be nuts to even think about moving Kelsey Plum. She and Jefferson can complement one another in the right system. The only argument out there seems to be their lack of size. And how many two guards in the WNBA regularly school people down on the low block?

(Answer: It’s really hard to guard the Lynx, no matter your personnel.)

The Aces have the makings of a team that will be pretty tough to guard as well. Assuming they can lock McBride (The Summitt’s No. 1 RFA) up to a multi-year deal, this team would have a core locked into place at least through 2019.

We’ll see what the team decides to do with Alex Montgomery, who started for them at the three spot last season. I’d expect the Aces to target a player (Montgomery or somebody else) that can soak up minutes at the three and another ball handler/shooter to help them coming off the bench.

Players to possibly target in free agency:

• Sami Whitcomb would make for a very nice fit to add more shooting on the wings for the Aces. Her playing time fluctuated in Seattle last season. Whitcomb is a reserved player, so potential suitors will have to wait to see if the Storm plan to keep her around for next season.
• The Aces could also make a convincing pitch to UFA Shenise Johnson. They could work her into a larger role as the season progresses. McBride could provide valuable insight and speak from experience on coming back stronger from a major injury. The Aces will need at least one other dependable wing in their rotation.
• Jeanette Pohlen-Mavunga and Noelle Quinn, both unrestricted free agents, could be options worth pursuing to add some more shooting. With Jefferson and Plum slicing up opposing defenses, that may be all they need to add on that end.

What are your expectations for the Aces in 2018? Who would you take with the No. 1 overall pick, and could that player help put them in a position make a run at a playoff spot?