Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) celebrates after scoring a basket against the Connecticut Sun during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Saturday, July 1, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 | 3:24 p.m.
Candace Parker isn’t finished quite yet.
The three-time WNBA champion is re-signing with the Aces on a one-year deal, the team announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Aces are bringing back the two-time MVP and one of the greatest players in league history.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to play the game I love while competing alongside my teammates and coaches,” Parker said in a statement. “My family and I are excited to be back in Las Vegas and ready for another great season.”
It wasn’t a given that Parker would return for a 17th season. She underwent foot surgery in July and while she was inching closer to an appearance in the WNBA Finals in October, she wasn’t cleared.
Parker said following the Aces winning their second straight WNBA title that she would continue playing as long as she’s healthy.
For the 18 games she played, Parker appeared to have much left in the tank.
Though she averaged nine points per game, Parker’s presence unlocked another gear for the already-talented Aces offense. The Aces averaged 93.4 points through 18 games that led to a 16-2 start, the most efficient offense in league history at the time.
That was while Parker was playing a career-low 23.6 minutes per game. The Aces had a defensive rating of 95 with Parker on the floor, an estimate of how many points a team scores or allows per 100 possessions. Offensively, the Aces had a rating of 111.
“Her leadership and court presence are invaluable to our team,” General Manager Natalie Williams said. “We look forward to having her incredible skill set and contagious energy back on the floor.”
Bringing back Parker, who will turn 38 in October, puts a stamp on the Aces’ offseason.
Las Vegas prioritized bringing their own free agents back with re-signing center Kiah Stokes and guard Sydney Colson to two-year deals. The Aces added to their frontcourt depth by signing center Megan Gustafson to replace the departures of Cayla George and Alaina Coates.
So long as she’s healthy, the 6-foot-4 Parker brings an enriched basketball IQ in the frontcourt alongside Finals MVP A’ja Wilson. Her outside shooting and playmaking ability is what led the Aces to their record-breaking offense to begin the season.
The Aces begin their quest for a three-peat on May 14 at Michelob Ultra Arena against the Phoenix Mercury.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on X at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
