HENDERSON, Nev. — Seated beside recent addition Jewell Loyd and relatively new recruit Liz Kitley, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon expressed her eagerness for April on Tuesday. It’s the time when she can reunite with Loyd, Kitley, and the rest of the team at the facility to prepare for restoring the Aces to their championship-winning ways.
Last season didn’t quite meet the Aces’ usually high standards. As WNBA champions in 2022 and 2023, the team struggled to maintain their previous form. They entered the postseason as the fourth seed and were subsequently defeated in four games by New York Liberty, the eventual champions, in the semifinals.
Reflecting a different tone from the disappointment felt on October 6 after that 76-62 defeat, Hammon acknowledged the necessity of changes.
She emphasized, “We had a commendable run with our previous group, but we underperformed last year and fell short of our goals. Change was necessary, albeit uncomfortable. However, I’m optimistic about our current lineup. There’s an underlying hunger and positive energy among us.”
A significant shift came with a trade on January 26, which saw Kelsey Plum moving to the Los Angeles Sparks while Loyd was brought in from the Seattle Storm. Loyd, who has been with the Storm since being drafted in 2015, contributed to their two WNBA championships and averaged 19.7 points along with 4.5 rebounds last season.
For Loyd, joining Las Vegas isn’t entirely unfamiliar as she played alongside three current Aces members in the previous Olympic gold medal-winning team. “Being part of the Aces is both a blessing and an honor,” Loyd shared. “It’s surreal, and I’ve been smiling ever since walking through the door.”
Kitley, on the other hand, is thrilled to return to the court following a hiatus. An ACL injury last March at Virginia Tech prematurely ended her college career, deterring many teams on draft night. Yet, the Aces picked her as the 24th overall selection.
“Kitley’s as close as we can get to a No. 1 through 5 pick,” Hammon remarked. During her recovery, Kitley familiarized herself with the team’s system and is now eager to collaborate with three-time MVP A’ja Wilson. With Wilson’s presence, Kitley won’t be pressured to lead the team single-handedly.
“While there’s less pressure, it’s a distinct kind of pressure to prove oneself in subtle ways,” Kitley explained. “It’s certainly challenging, but also thrilling.”
The upcoming season will reveal whether the offseason efforts by Hammon, team president Nikki Fargas, and basketball operations vice president Tonya Holley will drive the Aces back to their former championship stature.
“Every team has revamped their squad, and competition is fierce,” owner Mark Davis remarked. “We aren’t the defending champions now—that’s the Liberty’s title. However, the introduction of new energy is invigorating. Becky, Nikki, and Tonya have expertly revamped the roster.”
Despite doing this without a general manager following Natalie Williams’ dismissal on October 26, Fargas remained noncommittal about appointing a replacement.
Whether or not a new GM is appointed, expectations for the Aces remain steadfast. Their goal is to be a strong contender for the WNBA title this season.
This news conference aimed to not only introduce the new players but to signal to the entire league that Las Vegas remains a formidable force.
“Our mission is to win championships, and these two remarkable athletes understand the expectations set by Coach Hammon,” stated Fargas. “I am confident they’ll help us add more banners and rings to our legacy.”
