Candace Parker

2023 - 1 - 28

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

WNBA free agent Candace Parker to sign with Las Vegas Aces (ESPN)

Two-time WNBA champion and former MVP Candace Parker plans to sign with the Las Vegas Aces as an unrestricted free agent, she announced Saturday on her ...

Parker would become the first WNBA player to win a title with three different franchises if she wins one with the Aces. But more than the past two seasons, I'm thankful to the city that raised me, the childhood friends I still have to this day, the teachers I still am learning from, and the moments in time that will forever be in my heart. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to win a championship in my hometown and parade down the same streets I watched the While fellow free agents [Breanna Stewart](https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/2998928/breanna-stewart) and [Courtney Vandersloot](https://www.espn.com/wnba/player/_/id/981/courtney-vandersloot) have yet to announce their decisions, Parker joining the Aces makes Las Vegas, for now, the undisputed favorite to win it all again in 2023. [Bulls](/nba/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bulls) parade down as a young girl first falling in love with the game of basketball," Parker wrote. In addition to winning MVP her rookie season -- the only player to accomplish that feat -- she took home the honor in 2013, and she was named Finals MVP in 2016. [Los Angeles Sparks](https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/la/los-angeles-sparks) star spent the past two seasons playing for her hometown team, the [Chicago Sky](https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/chi/chicago-sky), helping to bring them their first title in 2021. After initially indicating she was mulling retirement following the 2022 season, her decision to sign with the Aces has a similar seismic effect on the WNBA landscape. 2 seed in the playoffs this past season, Chicago was upset by the [Connecticut Sun](https://www.espn.com/wnba/team/_/name/conn/connecticut-sun) in a winner-take-all Game 5 on its home floor during the semifinal round. "Candace has done so much for our franchise in her time here," Sky coach and general manager James Wade said in a statement. Lailaa starts high school in August and I need to be there for her, just as she's been there for me. I need to be there for my daughter, for my son, for my wife," Parker posted.

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Image courtesy of "Chicago Sun-Times"

Sky lose Candace Parker to Aces in free agency (Chicago Sun-Times)

The two-time WNBA champion took meetings with the Sparks, Sky and Aces before making her decision.

Parker hinted after the Sky’s Game 5 loss to the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals that she might retire. She averaged a double-double in the Sky’s eight playoff games with 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. She also reunites with point guard Chelsea Gray, with whom Parker won a title in 2016 with the Sparks. Parker’s homecoming was short-lived but fruitful, paying dividends with a title in her first season and two more All-Star nods. Her signing with the Sky sparked a team that, since its establishment in 2005, had failed to reach prominence. Parker, who starred in high school at Naperville Central, also brought an incalculable value to the Sky, giving them a place on the Chicago sports scene they never had.

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Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker announces she's signing ... (CBSSports.com)

Parker is set to join the defending champions in Las Vegas as she searches for her third WNBA title.

"I'm forever appreciative of everyone in Chicago - our fans, teammates, coaches, and ownership," Parker wrote. "I can't be without them for parts of the season when Lailaa is in school and I won't miss her volleyball games or school dances simply because of distance. "I need to be there for my daughter, for my son, for my wife," Parker wrote on Instagram.

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Image courtesy of "The Seattle Times"

Former MVP Candace Parker to sign with champion Aces (The Seattle Times)

Former MVP Candace Parker announced Saturday on social media she would sign with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

Kahleah Copper is the only starter under contract for next season, so the Sky could head into a rebuild. Even at 36 last season, she averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Sky. She will always be a part of the Sky family. Parker spent the past two seasons playing for her hometown Sky, leading Chicago to the WNBA championship in 2021. I’m looking forward to continuing the journey this summer in Las Vegas.” 21, creating speculation Las Vegas was creating salary cap room to sign a big-name player.

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Image courtesy of "Sportsnet.ca"

WNBA star Candace Parker announces she will join Las Vegas Aces (Sportsnet.ca)

WNBA star Candace Parker announced Saturday that she will be returning to the West Coast, leaving the Chicago Sky for the Las Vegas Aces.

Kahleah Copper is the only starter under contract for next season, so the Sky could head into a rebuild. She will always be a part of the Sky family. Even at 36 last season, she averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Sky. Parker spent the past two seasons playing for her hometown Sky, leading Chicago to the WNBA championship in 2021. I'm looking forward to continuing the journey this summer in Las Vegas." 21, creating speculation Las Vegas was creating salary cap room to sign a big-name player.

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Candace Parker signing with Aces: How the 2-time WNBA champion ... (The Athletic)

Throughout her dominant run with L.A., Parker guided the Sparks to a WNBA championship in 2016, and was named the WNBA Playoffs MVP in 2016. She joined the Sky ...

Las Vegas now has easily the best starting five in the WNBA and, alongside the 2010s [Minnesota Lynx](https://theathletic.com/wnba/team/lynx/), potentially the best in league history. The Aces can put the ball in Parker’s hands and let [Chelsea Gray](https://theathletic.com/wnba/player/chelsea-gray-nQmNhty2yZ8jdzDX/) be more of a scorer, and the two already know how to play with one another due to their five seasons together on the Sparks. She and [A’ja Wilson](https://theathletic.com/wnba/player/aja-wilson-aguKOkXa8Rv6HAUL/) can toggle back and forth between the two frontcourt positions, both capable of scoring, creating, and defending on the perimeter and at the rim. And as a new contender threatens to emerge out east in New York, the Aces have retooled, improving on their 2022 roster. Parker has been one of the most versatile players in the league since she entered the WNBA. She recorded a near triple-double in her WNBA debut with 34 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

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Image courtesy of "Chicago Sun-Times"

Whom should the Sky target if they can't re-sign Courtney ... (Chicago Sun-Times)

Best-case scenario, Sky coach/GM James Wade re-signs Vandersloot and Parker and the franchise puts off a rebuild for another year. Worst-case scenario, the ...

Still, Clark would prove to be another valuable defensive addition to the Sky and would come with a championship pedigree. The only adjustment the Sky can make to persuade Stevens to re-sign if Vandersloot and Parker go elsewhere will be in how much money they potentially will be able to offer her. In the best-case scenario, Sky general manager/coach James Wade will re-sign Vandersloot and Parker, enabling the franchise to put off a rebuild for another year. Whether the Sky lose Vandersloot in free agency or not, Mabrey would be a solid addition to their backcourt. In 2021, she finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year. Best-case scenario, Sky coach/GM James Wade re-signs Vandersloot and Parker and the franchise puts off a rebuild for another year.

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Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

WNBA free agency: Candace Parker lands with Aces as two-time ... (CBSSports.com)

Parker is set to join the defending champions in Las Vegas as she searches for her third WNBA title.

"I'm forever appreciative of everyone in Chicago - our fans, teammates, coaches, and ownership," Parker wrote. "I can't be without them for parts of the season when Lailaa is in school and I won't miss her volleyball games or school dances simply because of distance. "I need to be there for my daughter, for my son, for my wife," Parker wrote on Instagram.

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Image courtesy of "WOKV"

Former MVP Candace Parker to sign with champion Aces (WOKV)

Parker spent the past two seasons playing for her hometown Sky, leading Chicago to the WNBA championship in 2021. She also won the 2016 title playing for the ...

Kahleah Copper is the only starter under contract for next season, so the Sky could head into a rebuild. Even at 36 last season, she averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Sky. She will always be a part of the Sky family. Parker spent the past two seasons playing for her hometown Sky, leading Chicago to the WNBA championship in 2021. I’m looking forward to continuing the journey this summer in Las Vegas.” 21, creating speculation Las Vegas was creating salary cap room to sign a big-name player.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Aces Players Share Hilarious Reactions to Candace Parker Signing (Sports Illustrated)

Las Vegas players weighed in on their thoughts of the seven-time All-Star joining the franchise.

With Las Vegas acquiring Parker, it makes the Aces the favorite to repeat as champions in ’23. Now, the two will reconnect in Sin City for the ’23 season. Chelsea Gray, the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP, tweeted “Cue the song reunited**” Gray and Parker were once teammates in Los Angeles, where they won a WNBA title in 2016.

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