WNBA Las Vegas Aces Season Preview, February 17, 2025

Las Vegas didn’t finish off the year the way they liked to have last year. They finished 4th in the league with a 27-13 record. The Aces has a rough start to last season but battled back to the 4th seed. Not winning it all was the problem, but let’s get into this year’s Aces Season Preview.

A’ja Wilson won the league MVP last year, which was her 3rd time in the last 5 years. This team is an offense monster with the likes of Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. One big name is missing – Kelsey Plum.

A few weeks ago, the Aces traded Plum to the Sparks in a 3-team trade that landed them star guard Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm. Loyd is a 2x WNBA Champ, 2x Olympics Goal Medalist and was the 2015 Rookie of the Year after being drafted #1 overall.

How will Loyd impact this team with what she brings to the table?

Welcome banner for Jewell Loyd’s arrival to Las Vegas.

A champion is being brought into the championship environment and let’s be honest, that’s why she’s here. Loyd’s experience along with the rest of this Aces team have the mentality to win a championship. The question is, why are we having this conversation.

When you think about it, the Aces traded one super star for the other. It’s hard to say one is better than the other as they are both very decorated, but the Aces didn’t add Loyd to the old roster. This team is very similar with Loyd in place of Plum.

Now this is Loyd’s first time away from Seattle, so that shouldn’t affect her too much as she’s a veteran. Last season, Loyd averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals. She also shoots 27.4% from 3-point range.

Compared to Plum, Loyd has better stats, but not by any crazy difference. The one area the Aces will miss Plum from is 3-point shooting as she shot 36.8% last season. It’s going to take some time to adjust to seeing them in their new jerseys, but something tells me they both make a splash.

Are the Aces back to being title contenders again?

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson lines up to take a free throw.

I honestly think there’s only one answer to that and its they never were not contenders. Just because they didn’t make the Finals last year doesn’t mean they weren’t capable. They had all the pieces and experience but just couldn’t pull it off, which happens.

They need to hope they can get the chemistry going early to avoid a slow start to the season like last season. Las Vegas will also start the season with Chelsea Gray who missed around 15 games last season.

Loyd ended up here due to conflicts she was having in Seattle. If any of those conflicts were hinging on her play, then the Aces are about to see an explosion since she played decent last year.

The keys to this season will be getting off to a better start than last year and getting the chemistry strong with Loyd. I don’t see either to be an issue, especially if they’re healthy. Loyd should fit right in with this squad, and we have to assume the team is happy to have her.

Minnesota will stand in their way and Phoenix made some moves to improve as well when it comes to the West, but the playoff structure is both Conferences combined, so they will still have to worry about the Liberty and now the Fever as well.