By Abram Alex
As the WNBA draft is upon us, April 11, let’s look to see what the Aces need as they turn to a new era in their young basketball existence. Last season, they finished with the second seed and were again a title favorite before Phoenix Mercury surprisingly knocked them out in the semi-finals. Now, Vegas enters a free agency full of questions.
In the off season, the Aces moved on from Bill Laimbeer and hired Becky Hammon from the NBA.
AJ’a Wilson re-signs with the team, which was the most important move for the Aces. She was the only restricted free agent for this team. However, the 25-year-old has been an All-Star in every possible season so far, an MVP, and led the league in blocked shots. As one of the league’s top faces, the Aces are her team for as long as she wants them to be.
The Aces lost Liz Cambage, who is now playing for the LA Sparks. The Aces started the process to replace her by adding Theresa Plaisance, a 6’5 center. Theresa is a versatile post player who can extend a defense with her three-point shot, creating potential match-up problems in the process,” said Hammon. “She is also one of the better defensive rebounders in the league, which helps in closing out possessions and getting out in transition.”
Plaisance was originally drafted by the Tulsa Shock in the third round (No. 27 overall) of the 2014 WNBA Draft. The eight-year WNBA veteran played five-plus seasons with the franchise, which relocated to Dallas and became the Wings prior to the 2016 campaign.
In the upcoming draft, the Aces will pick another center, Elissa Cunane from North Carolina State. Elissa is a three time All-American. We will all wait and see live on ESPN April 11, at 7pm EST.
