5 Biggest Questions for the Las Vegas Aces After Winning Back-to-Back Titles
The Las Vegas Aces might be back-to-back WNBA Champions, but there are still a lot of questions to answer this offseason. The organization has free agents to attend to, a controversial player's future to decide, and the prospect of a third title. We're going to break it down below with the five biggest questions for the Las Vegas Aces.
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The Las Vegas Aces roster may look very different in 2024. Candace Parker says she refuses to play in pain, a comment that came she suffered a foot fracture that ended her 2023 season prematurely.
Parker leaving could open up some cap space, but she would be a significant loss. She was a force to be reckoned with in early 2023, averaging nine points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 18 games. She probably would have done much more if it wasn’t for her injury.
“ I hope so," Parker said when asked if she'll keep playing. "I-- I have made a pact with myself that I won't play in pain because I've done it so long and for so much of my career. And so if I am healthy, I do want to play.”
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Riquina Williams’s future with the Aces is also up in the air following her arrest in July. Williams was accused of domestic battery by strangulation, coercion with a deadly weapon, and four misdemeanor domestic violence charges. The Aces quickly suspended Williams after the arrest and haven’t reinstated her.
It is worth noting that the charges were dropped when Williams' wife stopped cooperating with the investigation. However, between her being on the bench with a back injury and her alleged actions against her wife, she could get cut.
The Aces won a championship without her and can easily do it again. None of this means William isn't a talented player, but there is little use for her now. Las Vegas could use some of the money to keep one of its bigger stars.
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Clay Travis keeps running his mouth about the Las Vegas Aces, and it’s getting desperate. The Outkick founder continues to bet that the Aces would lose to a high school basketball team with $1 million on the line. He cites the natural differences between men and women as a reason.
However, the problem with his argument is that he's trying to make a name off of a proven championship squad and insulting them while he's at it. He wants that gotcha moment against the WNBA and women’s sports.
Las Vegas has nothing to prove against a bunch of high school boys, and it makes the bet look ridiculous.
Related: Bold predictions for The Las Vegas Aces in 2024
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
All good things must come to an end, and that includes Becky Hammon's reign as coach of The Las Vegas Aces. Hammon has already helped Las Vegas to two championships, leaving very little left for her to prove. One would have to imagine her jumping to the NBA during the offseason or after winning a third straight championship.
The Aces head coach has already talked with the Raptors about becoming their new head coach. The idea fell through due to a lack of experience, but it was a tremendous foot-in-the-door moment. Now that she is a two-time championship-winning coach, her stock will only increase.
The Las Vegas Aces are now back-to-back champions, which begs the question of a third. This seems like a reasonable possibility with how much talent the team has and how well they have done the last two years. A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young are now like a big three. They all averaged above 15 points last season.
There are also players like Chelsea Grey, Kiah Stokes, and Alysha Clark, who have chemistry. It’s all going to come down to what other teams do. Whether they can come up with a plan to disrupt the chemistry. Or just let the team keep running roughshod over the league.
Next: Best places to experience Thanksgiving in Las Vegas
#5 Will Candance Parker retire or leave the Las Vegas Aces in 2024?
[caption id="attachment_41070" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]The Las Vegas Aces roster may look very different in 2024. Candace Parker says she refuses to play in pain, a comment that came she suffered a foot fracture that ended her 2023 season prematurely.
Parker leaving could open up some cap space, but she would be a significant loss. She was a force to be reckoned with in early 2023, averaging nine points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 18 games. She probably would have done much more if it wasn’t for her injury.
“ I hope so," Parker said when asked if she'll keep playing. "I-- I have made a pact with myself that I won't play in pain because I've done it so long and for so much of my career. And so if I am healthy, I do want to play.”
#4 Are the Aces done with Riquina Williams?
[caption id="attachment_41069" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Riquina Williams’s future with the Aces is also up in the air following her arrest in July. Williams was accused of domestic battery by strangulation, coercion with a deadly weapon, and four misdemeanor domestic violence charges. The Aces quickly suspended Williams after the arrest and haven’t reinstated her.
It is worth noting that the charges were dropped when Williams' wife stopped cooperating with the investigation. However, between her being on the bench with a back injury and her alleged actions against her wife, she could get cut.
The Aces won a championship without her and can easily do it again. None of this means William isn't a talented player, but there is little use for her now. Las Vegas could use some of the money to keep one of its bigger stars.
#3 Should the Las Vegas Aces answer the challenge from Clay Travis?
[caption id="attachment_41068" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
YouTube.[/caption]Clay Travis keeps running his mouth about the Las Vegas Aces, and it’s getting desperate. The Outkick founder continues to bet that the Aces would lose to a high school basketball team with $1 million on the line. He cites the natural differences between men and women as a reason.
However, the problem with his argument is that he's trying to make a name off of a proven championship squad and insulting them while he's at it. He wants that gotcha moment against the WNBA and women’s sports.
Las Vegas has nothing to prove against a bunch of high school boys, and it makes the bet look ridiculous.
Related: Bold predictions for The Las Vegas Aces in 2024
#2 How long will Becky Hammon remain head coach of the Aces?
[caption id="attachment_40691" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]All good things must come to an end, and that includes Becky Hammon's reign as coach of The Las Vegas Aces. Hammon has already helped Las Vegas to two championships, leaving very little left for her to prove. One would have to imagine her jumping to the NBA during the offseason or after winning a third straight championship.
The Aces head coach has already talked with the Raptors about becoming their new head coach. The idea fell through due to a lack of experience, but it was a tremendous foot-in-the-door moment. Now that she is a two-time championship-winning coach, her stock will only increase.
#1 Can the Las Vegas Aces win three championships in a row?
The Las Vegas Aces are now back-to-back champions, which begs the question of a third. This seems like a reasonable possibility with how much talent the team has and how well they have done the last two years. A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young are now like a big three. They all averaged above 15 points last season.
There are also players like Chelsea Grey, Kiah Stokes, and Alysha Clark, who have chemistry. It’s all going to come down to what other teams do. Whether they can come up with a plan to disrupt the chemistry. Or just let the team keep running roughshod over the league.
Next: Best places to experience Thanksgiving in Las Vegas