A Brief Tenure in Las Vegas
The signing of Chennedy Carter initially appeared to be a strategic win for the Las Vegas Aces earlier this WNBA season. However, her time with the franchise has come to an abrupt conclusion, mirroring the pattern of her previous professional departures. On Wednesday, the Aces officially waived Carter after she appeared in just 13 games, despite a promising start that positioned her as an early candidate for the Sixth Player of the Year award.
Coach Hammon’s Firm Stance
Addressing the media on Thursday, Aces head coach Becky Hammon provided no insight into the roster change. When asked about Carter's exit, Hammon remained dismissive, stating:
“We're not going to comment on players that aren't here anymore.”This followed a request from the team’s staff to focus strictly on basketball-related topics.
A Pattern of Volatile Exits
While the specific details behind the scenes remain private, the circumstances surrounding Carter’s departure bear a resemblance to her exits from the Chicago Sky and the Los Angeles Sparks—moves that previously forced her to pursue opportunities overseas. Following her 2024 season, where she earned votes for Most Improved Player, Carter struggled to maintain consistency. While she initially averaged 19.1 points per game with high efficiency for the Aces, her production significantly declined, dropping to an average of just 4.2 points in her final six appearances.
Strategic Decisions and Contract Timing
Regarding her limited court time, Hammon previously clarified that the benching was a tactical choice rather than an injury-related issue, noting: “Just made an executive decision there on what I liked and what was working.” Reports indicate that the organization waived Carter shortly before a critical deadline that would have required the team to fully guarantee her contract. Despite the roster move, the Aces remain a dominant force in the league, entering Thursday with a 15-6 record, currently holding the second-best standing in the WNBA.