A Sudden End to the Partnership
The Las Vegas Aces officially waived guard Chennedy Carter on Wednesday, concluding her tenure with the team after appearing in 13 games. The move comes as a surprise to many, especially considering that earlier in the season, Carter appeared to be a strong candidate for the Sixth Player of the Year award.
Hammon’s Stance on the Exit
Following the news of her departure, Aces head coach Becky Hammon remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the situation. When asked about the decision during a press conference on Thursday, Hammon kept her comments brief.
«We're not going to comment on players that aren't here anymore,» Hammon stated, while staff requested that media inquiries focus on upcoming gameplay.
Performance Trends and Team Dynamics
Carter, who joined the Las Vegas roster in April, enjoyed a blistering start to the 2026 season. At one point, she was averaging 19.1 points per game while shooting an impressive 64.6%. However, her production dipped significantly in recent outings, where she averaged only 4.2 points across her final six appearances.
Following a recent overtime victory against the Chicago Sky, Hammon noted that there were no lingering injury concerns regarding Carter, describing her playing time as an «executive decision» based on team rotation and performance.
Background on the Transition
The parting of ways arrives amidst reports suggesting the decision was finalized shortly before a key contractual deadline. Had the team kept her longer, they would have been required to fully guarantee her contract. Throughout her career, Carter has navigated several challenging exits, including her time with the Chicago Sky and the Los Angeles Sparks. Despite the departure, the Aces continue to thrive, maintaining a 15-6 record and holding the second-best position in the WNBA standings as of Thursday.