Candace Parker takes steep discount to sign with Aces

Candace Parker has taken advantage of a steep discount to join the Las Vegas Aces, Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats reported Wednesday.

The two-time WNBA MVP officially signed her deal with the Aces on the opening day of the signing period on Wednesday. Parker had earned an average annual salary of $192,500 during her last two seasons with the Chicago Sky, but she signed a one-year, $100,000 contract with Las Vegas, sources told Cohen.

By bringing in top talent from Parker well below market value, the Aces are leaving themselves salary cap space to add to an already stacked lineup.

Las Vegas captured the 2022 WNBA title with MVP A’ja Wilson, Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, All-Star Game MVP Kelsey Plum and Most Improved Player Jackie Young in the starting lineup. Now the team has added a two-time champion and seven-time All-Star to the mix.

“Candace is a future Hall of Famer, a proven champion and, most importantly, an incredible woman,” general manager Natalie Williams said in a statement. “She is a talented game designer, an exceptional leader, and an invaluable piece in our quest for another championship title. We look forward to welcoming Candace and her family to Las Vegas.

The Aces also signed two-time WNBA champion Alysha Clark and four-time Australian WNBL champion Cayla George, further bolstering their roster.

Parker spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Sparks, winning a title in 2016, before moving to his hometown Sky for the final two seasons. She helped lead them to a championship in 2021.

The 36-year-old forward will be looking to win another title with Las Vegas.

“Three sounds better than two,” she said on NBA TV earlier this week. “But we know the process to get there. There are a lot of teams I’ve been on that look great on paper, but you have to do the work.