Aces to re-sign veteran forward, in the hunt for another key frontcourt piece

Veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is staying with the Las Vegas Aces, and the team is in the hunt for an additional frontcourt piece.

Parker-Tyus was one of many players from the Aces’ 2025 WNBA championship run who was set to become a free agent. A source told the Review-Journal on Saturday that the team was finalizing a one-year deal to re-sign her.

A 2023 All-Star with the Atlanta Dream, Parker-Tyus signed with the Aces on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum ($78,000) last offseason after being her former team’s highest paid player in the previous season. The source indicated that Parker-Tyus will take another pay cut in her most recent deal – albeit a potentially relative one given that the league minimum under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement ($270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 based on years of service) is more than the 2025 supermax ($249,000).

Parker-Tyus was pregnant with her second child when she signed with the Aces. After giving birth to a son, Yoshua, in July, Parker-Tyus still returned to play in eight games. In her debut for the team, Parker-Tyus scored eight points in eight minutes to help the team win its 15th straight game as Aces coach Becky Hammon lauded her for the quick comeback.

The Aces stand to benefit from a full-strength Parker-Tyus to create more space for four-time MVP A’ja Wilson. Parker-Tyus averaged 15.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in her All-Star season.

The Aces could bolster their frontcourt even further, as they are also reportedly in the mix for forward Gabby Williams, according to ESPN.

Williams, selected No. 4 overall in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, earned her first career All-Star selection last season with the Seattle Storm. She appeared in all 44 games and averaged career highs of 11.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, making her sixth year in the league her best.

She’s reportedly choosing between the Aces, Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries.

Williams and the Storm’s 2025 season ended against the Aces in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Wilson, who led the Aces in that effort, is expected to re-sign on the new supermax ($1.4 million) but has yet to do so. She has spoken publicly about not being open to playing anywhere else, and it’s worth wondering if adding Williams will lead Wilson to take yet another team-friendly deal despite being the best player in the league. The Aces have already come to terms with guards Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd to keep the core together.

Forward Kierstan Bell is the Aces’ only official signee so far, as she accepted the team’s restricted qualifying offer on Thursday. They also tendered an offer to NaLyssa Smith, who has yet to sign. Kiah Stokes and Megan Gustafson are unrestricted free agents whose plans have yet to be reported or announced.