The WNBA trade deadline is quickly approaching on Sunday, but the Las Vegas Aces aren’t facing the same pressure as many contenders around the league.
Fresh off winning six of their past seven games, Las Vegas has climbed to 20-8 and sits second in the WNBA standings, trailing only the Minnesota Lynx by three games.
Historically, the Aces have rarely been major players at the trade deadline, largely because their championship-caliber core has left few glaring needs. That approach paid off last season when the franchise captured its third WNBA championship in four years after standing pat at the deadline.
Las Vegas has already been active with in-season roster moves this year, signing Japanese Olympian Mai Yamamoto before waiving guard Chennedy Carter to make room for Justine Pissott, who joined the club on a rest-of-season contract from the Indiana Fever.
Pissott made an immediate impact, scoring 19 points in just 10 minutes during her WNBA debut against the Phoenix Mercury on July 12 while making five of her six 3-point attempts.
Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Aces will stand pat before Sunday’s deadline. If the right opportunity presents itself, several players around the league could strengthen Las Vegas’ rotation without disrupting the foundation that has it back in championship contention.
With that in mind, here are a few players who could make sense for the Aces if they decide to make a move.
Kaitlyn Chen (Golden State Valkyries)
Chen, a 5-foot-9 guard from San Marino, California, has quickly carved out a role off the bench for the Golden State Valkyries after being selected in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft out of Connecticut.
The second-year guard is averaging 7.6 points per game for a Golden State team that sits just behind Las Vegas in the standings at 19-9.
While there has been no indication the Valkyries are actively looking to move Chen, she would be an intriguing fit if she became available.
The Aces have dealt with inconsistent guard depth following Dana Evans’ early-season injury and the release of Carter, and Chen has shown the ability to provide efficient scoring off the bench.
Chen ranks among the league leaders in field-goal percentage at 55.5% while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range, making her the type of complementary piece that could strengthen an already talented rotation.
Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks)
Few names would generate more intrigue than former Aces guard Kelsey Plum.
The two-time WNBA champion helped lead Las Vegas to consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023 before joining the Los Angeles Sparks, where she has continued to produce at an All-Star level.
Plum is averaging 23.9 points and nearly seven assists per game despite Los Angeles entering the deadline at 10-17 and near the bottom of the league standings.
A reunion would likely require significant assets from Las Vegas, making a deal difficult to complete before the deadline. However, Plum’s familiarity with Becky Hammon’s system and the Aces’ championship culture would make her one of the most impactful additions the franchise could make if Los Angeles were willing to entertain offers.
Skylar Diggins (Chicago Sky)
If the Aces were looking to add another veteran presence to their backcourt before the deadline, Skylar Diggins would be one of the most accomplished options available.
The Chicago Sky guard has remained one of the WNBA’s most consistent playmakers throughout her career, averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game this season while providing valuable postseason experience.
Diggins would address one of Las Vegas’ biggest areas of need: additional depth at guard. With Evans missing significant time earlier this season and Carter no longer on the roster, adding another experienced ball-handler alongside Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young could give the Aces another reliable option heading into the postseason.
However, her availability comes with uncertainty. Diggins has missed time recently while recovering from a right knee injury following offseason surgery and has been sidelined since July 3.
As the Aces are in the midst of their longest road trip of the season, adding another piece before the deadline could provide valuable depth for the postseason push.
