Las Vegas Aces set to bring back title-winning core of Gray, Young and Loyd, AP sources say
The Las Vegas Aces are set to run it back with the core group that helped them win the WNBA championship last year — the franchise's third in four seasons. The Aces have agreed to deals with Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, according to people familiar with the negotiations. Jewell Loyd is finalizing a deal, according to a different person familiar with the situation.
All three people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the signings until the deals become official. None of the deals can be signed until Saturday. The trio are free agents, along with four-time league MVP A'ja Wilson, who has said she planned on returning to the Aces.
ESPN was the first to report the deals. Gray and Young have been there for the entire run of success by the Aces since they won their first championship in 2022. Gray, who has won four titles in her career — including one in Los Angeles — averaged 11.
2 points, 5. 4 assists and 3. 9 rebounds for the Aces last year while playing in all 44 regular-season games.
She was limited to 27 games a year earlier because of injuries. Young averaged 16. 5 points, 5.