Full Breakdown
A'ja Wilson Reaffirms Commitment to Las Vegas Aces Amid Historic WNBA Free Agency
5/23/2026, 9:29:24 PM
Commitment Confirmed: Wilson Stays in Las Vegas
Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson announced Friday she will not test free agency and will remain with the Las Vegas Aces. Speaking at the USA Basketball training camp in Phoenix, Wilson said she loves Vegas, knows where she is, and aims to defend the championship.
New CBA Triggers League-wide Free Agency
The 2025-2026 CBA overhauls salaries, creating a free-agency window for all non-rookie players. The max salary rises from $249,244 in 2025 to $1.4 million in 2026. An expansion draft is set for Friday, and free agency must close before training camps on April 19.
Key Players and Team Structure
The Aces’ core includes Wilson, forward Jackie Young, guard Chelsea Gray and recent addition Jewell Loyd, who together won the 2025 title. Wilson joins Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who confirmed staying with the New York Liberty.
Timeline of Upcoming Dates
Key dates: the expansion draft on Friday, free-agency negotiations beginning early March, the contract deadline in late April, and training camps opening April 19.
Performance Metrics and Salary Landscape
In 2025 Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals while shooting 50.5 % from the field. The new cap lifts the top salary to $1.4 million in 2026 and could exceed $2.4 million by 2032.
Implications for Aces’ Title Defense
Wilson’s stay preserves the championship nucleus, limiting roster turnover and supporting team chemistry and leadership continuity—factors the franchise cites as essential for defending the title.
Official Statements & Responses
Wilson said everything else “just kind of falls in line,” framed free agency as a “challenge of finding your home,” and urged peers to follow their hearts when choosing teams.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source contradicts Wilson’s decision; details on other Aces players’ free-agency status are not provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not looking,” Wilson said Friday morning. “I know exactly where I am. I love Vegas. I’m not leaving Vegas. I’m looking to win another one. I’m looking to defend a championship that we have in Las Vegas. I’m looking to get better as a leader, as a player. Everything else just kind of falls in line.” — A'ja Wilson, WNBA star
- “The challenge is just doing it,” — A'ja Wilson, WNBA star
- “Finding what you feel like is what's right for you.” — A'ja Wilson, WNBA star
- “When it comes to us, when the job has to be handled and done, we're always going to do it the right way.” — A'ja Wilson, WNBA star
Looking Ahead: Free Agency and Training Camp
The Aces will finalize contracts before the April 19 training-camp start, while the league’s new salary cap and expansion draft shape roster moves for the 2026 season.
