Aces make a statement with free agent designation

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, The Las Vegas Aces have placed a “core’ designation on unrestricted free agent and two-time champion Kelsey Plum Saturday.

In terms of how the designation works, it works the same as an NFL franchise tag. It provides WNBA Players with a guaranteed, one-year supermax contract work $249,244. This designation does strip them of their ability to sign with another team.

With this designation that doesn’t exactly mean that Kelsey Plum will make her return to the Aces this season, it does mean that the Aces will receive appropriate compensation if a deal is made for her to leave the Aces.

In 2017, Kelsey Plum was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the WNBA Draft. Plum is a WNBA All-Star and a two-time WNBA Champion, all achieved with the Aces.

Plum has averaged 17.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 0.7 steals last season. She also shot 36.8 percent from the three-point line last season.

When it comes to core designation, WNBA teams can only use one per year. Aside from Plum, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray—the Aces’ “Core Four”—have signed through the next season.

Aces coach Becky Hammon made the case for Plum to be named a core player. Natalie Williams, the Aces’ former general manager has yet to be replaced, mentioned that the offer for a contract extension was on the table for Plum, but she declined it.

Coach Hammon said, “We love Kelsey Plum. There’s no doubt about that. (We’re) just giving her space, and she’s evaluating where she is in her career. We’re going to get to a position where, hopefully, everybody’s happy, but we certainly value Kelsey. I don’t think we win two championships without her. So, she’s definitely an integral part of our organization.”

Kelsey Plum has yet to make a comment about her future with the Aces since season’s end.