What's next for the Aces? Key questions facing WNBA team this offseason.

Donovan Hicks, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Oct 25, 2026

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Aces have some important decisions to make this offseason after their run at a fourth WNBA championship in five years ended in a semifinal sweep at the hands of Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries.

With the 2027 season set to tip off in May, the Aces will have to determine how to approach an offseason that could shape the direction of the franchise, with several questions to answer before the calendar rolls over.

Here’s what’s on their platter as they look at a menu full of decisions:

Roster construction

The Aces finished the season $132,073 over the 2026 salary cap of $7 million with 14 players on their roster because of injuries to forwards NaLyssa Smith and Janiah Barker.

With free agency still without a confirmed start date, Las Vegas has five players under contract for 2027: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Dana Evans and Barker. Those five players account for $4,227,600 of the projected $8.25 million salary cap for the 2027 season.

Depth was a challenge for the Aces late in the season following Smith’s injury and uncertainty surrounding Evans’ availability as she dealt with injuries throughout 2026, including during the playoffs. Those issues led Las Vegas to sign Mai Yamamoto and Kalani Brown.

The Aces have several players set to hit free agency, including Smith, Kierstan Bell, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Brianna Turner, Stephanie Talbot and five-time WNBA All-Star Jackie Young.

Justine Pissott is also a restricted free agent, leaving Las Vegas with several roster decisions to make as the franchise looks to address its depth concerns.

Young, who averaged 18.9 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game last season, is a key part of the Aces’ offseason plans following their playoff exit.

The former No. 1 overall pick earned $1.19 million on the one-year contract she signed before the 2026 season. After another productive season, she could be in line for a raise.

Las Vegas was the only WNBA team with three players earning more than $1 million in 2026, with Wilson, Gray and Young accounting for more than half of the Aces’ salary cap.

Free agency

Although the 2027 free-agency calendar has yet to be finalized, the market could offer Las Vegas several options to address its roster needs. In 2026, the free-agency process began April 6, with teams able to begin signing players April 11.

Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Mitchell and Kelsey Plum are among the notable names in the 2027 free-agent class. Another player who could be worth considering for Las Vegas is Brittney Griner.

Griner, who has played for the Phoenix Mercury, Atlanta Dream and Connecticut Sun, averaged 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 2026 while carrying a reported salary-cap hit of $1.19 million.

If the Aces bring back Smith, Griner could offer another option in the frontcourt, particularly if Smith were to miss time again. However, Griner’s potential fit would depend in part on the financial terms of a deal and how Las Vegas chooses to allocate its cap space.

Another unrestricted free agent who could fit coach Becky Hammon’s needs is Kayla Thornton of the Valkyries, who is known for her defense.

Thornton recorded 29 steals and 11 blocks during her 11th WNBA season. She also averaged 5.7 rebounds per game during Golden State’s run to the 2026 WNBA Finals.

Draft capital

The last time the Aces selected a player in the first round of the WNBA draft was in 2022, when the franchise took Kierstan Bell with the No. 11 overall pick.

Since then, Las Vegas has moved several first-round selections. The Aces traded their 2023 first-round pick for additional selections in the 2022 draft, sent their 2024 pick to the Los Angeles Sparks as part of the Dearica Hamby trade and had their 2025 pick rescinded following the WNBA’s investigation into that trade.

Las Vegas also moved its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks in deals to acquire Loyd and Smith, respectively. The Aces are now set to make one selection in the second round and one in the third round of the 2027 draft.

With limited draft capital available to use in trades, much of Las Vegas’ offseason maneuvering may have to come from within its current roster or through free agent acquisitions.

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