The Las Vegas Aces, the reigning powerhouse of the WNBA, have once again made headlines by signing veteran guard Chennedy Carter to a training camp contract as of April 15, 2026. This move comes as the Aces prepare to defend their third championship in four seasons, a feat that has firmly established them as one of the league’s premier franchises. With the 2026 WNBA season set to tip off on May 9—featuring a high-profile rematch against the Phoenix Mercury in Las Vegas—the Aces are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to maintain their dynastic run.
Chennedy Carter’s arrival in Las Vegas is as intriguing as it is strategic. Known for her explosive scoring prowess, Carter has averaged an impressive 17.5 points per game on nearly 49% shooting in her most recent WNBA season with the Chicago Sky in 2024. She spent the 2025 season overseas, leading the scoring charts in China and later competing in Mexico’s professional women’s league. At just 25, Carter remains one of the league’s most dynamic guards, capable of breaking down defenses and providing instant offense—an asset the Aces hope will bolster their bench depth, which has thinned due to salary cap commitments to their star-studded starting lineup.
Yet, Carter’s journey back to the WNBA is not without its complications. Drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in 2020, her early years in the league were marked by both on-court brilliance and off-court turbulence. In 2021, Carter was suspended by the Dream after a locker room incident in which she remained in the locker room during the second half of a game following a confrontation with teammate Courtney Williams. The following year, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, only to be benched midway through the season due to conduct issues. After sitting out the 2023 season entirely, Carter found her way to the Chicago Sky, where her offensive production was undeniable but rumors of further locker room drama persisted.
Her return to the WNBA in 2026 via a non-guaranteed training camp deal with Las Vegas is a calculated gamble by the Aces’ front office. The contract gives the team financial flexibility and the option to waive Carter if she fails to mesh with the championship-standard culture that head coach Becky Hammon and star forward A’ja Wilson have cultivated. As reported by Sports Illustrated, the move is “a low-risk, high-upside swing that underscores both their championship ambition and the financial realities of sustaining a dynastic roster in the modern WNBA.”
The Aces’ core—A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd—remains intact for the upcoming season. This continuity is a luxury, but also a challenge, as significant portions of the salary cap are tied up in these top-tier players. The result? A need for cost-effective, high-upside bench options. Carter, with her proven scoring ability and recent overseas dominance, fits the bill perfectly—if she can adapt to the Aces’ expectations for professionalism and team-first mentality.
Coach Becky Hammon, a three-time champion at the helm of Las Vegas, expressed cautious optimism about the signing. “Chennedy is one of the most talented guards in the league, and we’re hopeful that our veteran leadership can help bring out the best in her,” Hammon stated. The sentiment is echoed throughout the organization, with both Hammon and Wilson expected to play pivotal roles in integrating Carter into the team’s culture. The Aces are widely recognized for their strong locker room dynamic, a factor that has contributed to their sustained success amid the league’s competitive landscape.
But can Carter’s undeniable talent outweigh her checkered history? That’s the question on everyone’s mind as training camp approaches. The Aces’ willingness to take on a player with Carter’s background signals both confidence in their leadership and a recognition of the thin margins that separate champions from contenders in the WNBA. By offering Carter a non-guaranteed deal, the team can evaluate her performance and fit without risking long-term disruption to their chemistry or cap structure.
Carter’s professional journey has been anything but linear. After her initial burst onto the scene in Atlanta, her career has been marked by flashes of brilliance interrupted by disciplinary setbacks. Her year away from the WNBA in 2023 raised questions about her long-term standing in the league, but her overseas performances—particularly her scoring title in China—demonstrated her ongoing ability to impact games at the highest level. Now, with the Aces needing to fill gaps left by departing bench contributors from their 2025 championship run, Carter’s athleticism and scoring acumen could be the missing piece—if she earns her spot during preseason competition.
The stakes are high, but so is the potential reward. The Aces’ front office has made it clear that Carter will need to prove herself both on and off the court. The decision on her final roster status will be made at the end of the preseason, with the team closely monitoring her behavior, work ethic, and ability to adapt to the Aces’ high standards. For Carter, this training camp is more than just another stop on her basketball journey—it’s a chance at redemption, a shot to contribute to a championship-caliber roster, and perhaps, a final opportunity to solidify her place among the WNBA’s elite guards.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely. The prospect of Carter sharing the court with A’ja Wilson and the rest of the Aces’ core is tantalizing, especially with the added drama of her past encounters with rising stars like Caitlin Clark. The league’s narrative is richer for Carter’s return, and every matchup promises to be must-see TV, particularly when the Aces face off against the Indiana Fever and other top contenders.
As the 2026 WNBA season draws near, the Las Vegas Aces have made a bold move that could pay off in spectacular fashion—or fizzle out before the regular season even begins. For now, the basketball world waits to see whether Chennedy Carter can seize her second chance in Las Vegas and help the Aces continue their reign atop the WNBA.