3 Aces who won't be back next year after loss to Liberty in WNBA Playoffs

The Las Vegas Aces were defeated in Game 4 of their semifinals series against the New York Liberty on Sunday by a final score of 76-62. With the defeat, the Aces' championship streak ended at two after winning the WNBA Finals in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the Liberty are set to compete for a championship after wining the series in four games. The Aces' attention will now turn toward the offseason.

The Aces still feaure a talented team without question. Any roster that features A'ja Wilson is going to have an opportunity to compete. The Aces may lose some impactful players during the upcoming offseason, however.

Let's take a look at three players who may not return to Las Vegas for the 2025 season.

3. Alysha Clark

Clark is 37 years old and will be an unrestricted free agent. She may consider retirement, but if she decides to keep playing there are no guarantees that an Aces reunion will come to fruition.

Las Vegas is going to begin to focus on their future. No, they probably will not enter a rebuild since their roster is still good enough to compete. However, with their focus on the future, Clark and the Aces may part ways.

Clark is still a respected veteran who can either help a contender or assist with the development of young players for a rebuilding team. Either way, Clark will likely receive interest in free agency if she does not retire.

2. Tiffany Hayes

Hayes won the 2024 Sixth Player of the Year Award. The 35-year-old enjoyed a strong season for the Aces off the bench, averaging 9.5 points on 50 percent field goal and 40.2 percent three-point shooting.

Hayes will likely command a fairly lucrative contract in free agency. As an unrestricted free agent, however, the Aces may be hesitant to meet other teams' contract offers. Las Vegas surely wants to improve the roster and the idea of adding another star may appeal to the team. However, that could mean losing Hayes in free agency.

1. Kelsey Plum

Will Plum consider leaving the Aces? The three-time All-Star is expected to be among the most sought after free agents during the upcoming offseason. A reunion with the Aces remains a possibility, but the fact of the matter is that Plum did not sign a contract extension alongside A'ja Wilson and the team's other stars.

Plum may be ready for a change. She wants to win, but joining a new team could allow her to become a face of a franchise. The Aces' salary cap situation could also make it difficult for them to meet other teams' contract offers in free agency.

There is certainly still a chance that Kelsey Plum will return to the Aces. However, it would not be surprising to see her with a new team next year.