Prior to the start 2025 season, the Las Vegas Aces were projected to be one of the top championship contending teams. Now, it is uncertain if they will even make the playoffs with their current 15-14 record. Could this questionable record be due to what happened in the front office?
Mere days after being eliminated in the 2024 playoffs by the New York Liberty, the Las Vegas Aces announced they they were parting ways with their GM Natalie Williams . From that day on, there has been questionable decisions made left and right.
Prior to the offseason, it was anticipated that the core four of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young would be those chosen to be protected from being traded or drafted. Fans were left shocked when Kelsey Plum was traded to Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Jewell Lloyd from Seattle. On top of that, fan favorite Kate Martin wasn’t protected in the expansion draft, and Sydney Colson walked away in free agency. Throughout all of this, the Aces also signed Dana Evans, Tiffany Mitchell, and former All-Star Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. Vegas fans were left heartbroken with multiple core players leaving as well as confused.
What left many fans puzzled were some of the contracts that were selected to be protected. Prior to her departure, Natalie Williams chose to protect Kierstan Bell's contract, which left many confused. Bell was part of the back-to-back championship but had not contributed much since the 2022 season. The protected spots have severely impacted the Aces current roster.
Due to the limited amount of spots, the Aces have had to make cuts throughout the entire year. The Aces picked up some extremely talented rookies but ultimately had to cut all of them except Aaliyah Nye from the University of Alabama. This season alone, the Aces have waived Liz Kitley, Tiffany Mitchell, Joyner Holmes, Dyaisha Fair, Angel Jackson, Crystal Bradford, Queen Egbo, Harmoni Turner, and Deja Kelly.
The Aces front office needs to make some changes
Back on August 2, the Aces were obliterated by the Minnesota Lynx 111-58. This 53 point defeat broke the record of the largest road victory in WNBA history. The Aces were able to bounce back and defeat the Golden State Valkyries 101-77 with Jewell Lloyd thriving in her new role off the bench.
Many fans have blamed the front office for the team's struggles throughout the season. Since Natalie Williams' departure, the GM role has not be filled and rather Becky Hammon and Nikki Fargas are serving as temporary GM and co-GM. The lack of leadership surely has something to do with what is happening on the court.