Las Vegas Aces Season Preview
The defending WNBA Champions are back and this time, they have Candace Parker.
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also buy Her Hoop Stats gear, such as laptop stickers, mugs, and shirts!
Haven’t subscribed to the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter yet?
The Las Vegas Aces completed their journey from up-and-coming team to WNBA Champions in 2022. Will they be able to defend their title this season? Let’s take a step back and review what happened in the offseason as the Aces try to be the best version of themselves.
2023 WNBA Free Agency
The Aces made huge waves this offseason by signing two-time MVP and two-time champion Candace Parker. To enable that acquisition, Las Vegas made the surprising trade of Dearica Hamby on Jan. 21 in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B. and Las Vegas’ own 2024 first-round pick. Not only that, they managed to sign a talented player in Alysha Clark. They were also able to sign Cayla George, who hasn’t played in the WNBA in five years, last seeing action in 2018 with Dallas. Parker signed for one year, an unprotected contract of $100,000, while Clark signed for two years, a protected veteran contract of $110,000. George signed a one-year, protected veteran deal of $74,305.
Draft and camp
While the Aces were quite active during the free agency period, they only had one pick in last month’s draft. It was the final pick of the draft, and they used it on Alabama guard Brittany Davis. Unfortunately, she was cut this past week along with Aisha Sheppard and Courtney Range. As our Richard Cohen discussed, look for the team to cut one more player to get down to an 11-person roster that fits under the cap.
2023 WNBA All-Star Game
One highlight of the season for the Aces won't count in the standings but will inevitably be the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game. They'll host the game on July 15, part of two days of WNBA activities that also include the WNBA Live Fan Festival, the WNBA 3-Point Contest, and the WNBA Skills Challenge.
“We’re excited to once again host the league’s signature showcase event in the sports and entertainment capital of the world,” Aces president Nikki Fargas said. “Las Vegas has showed up and showed out for the Aces and the WNBA since our first season, and we are looking forward to welcoming fans from around the world back to Michelob ULTRA Arena for another incredible celebration of the best that women’s basketball has to offer.”
2022 WNBA regular season recap
The Las Vegas Aces finished with a record of 26-10 last season, earning the top seed in the playoffs. They finished second in margin of victory per game (6.4) and recorded the second-best single-season assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78) of all time.
During the WNBA playoffs, Las Vegas defeated the Phoenix in the first round 2-0. In the conference semifinals, the Aces defeated the Seattle Storm 3-1. In the WNBA Finals, the Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 3-1 to win the WNBA Championship.
So many players won awards for the Aces. A’ja Wilson was crowned WNBA MVP, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive First Team and All-WNBA First Team. Jackie Young earned WNBA Most Improved Player honors. Kelsey Plum was an All-Star Game MVP and All-WNBA First Team. Chelsea Gray won the WNBA Finals MVP. Finally, Becky Hammon won the WNBA Coach of the Year Award. It was an incredible season and the top players performed to the best of their abilities.
Conclusion
Las Vegas is hoping to replicate last season’s success with some incredibly talented new players like Parker and Clark. It will not be easy, but the Aces have shown that they are a strong team and have plenty of talented players who will try their best to repeat as WNBA Champions. The Aces begin their regular season on May 20 against the Seattle Storm.
Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.