In a surprising turn of events, the Las Vegas Aces have decided to waive one of the most dynamic guards in the game in what many believe is a cost-cutting decision.

Chennedy Carter played in 13 of the Aces' 21 games this season and averaged 12.2 points. But she only played four games in June, including the Commissioner's Cup final, which does not count in the official standings.

Carter was listed as having a left leg injury and then an unspecified illness during her missed games. When asked Friday about why Carter's minutes were so limited in an overtime game, coach Becky Hammon did not reference injury or illness issues.

"Chennedy should be good to go," Hammon said. "Just made an executive decision there on what I liked and what was working."

WNBA teams had until Tuesday to waive players on non-guaranteed contracts before they became fully guaranteed.

The Aces signed Carter to such a deal (one year, $277.5K) before the start of the season. It's unclear how much of it they paid her, as Spotrac doesn't yet include the figures in its database. 

Carter's talent is undeniable, and she was always a plus for the Aces on the court. It was a clear low-cost, high-reward move by the Aces, who are now moving on with a developmental player.

The Aces Make Play for the Indiana Fever's Justine Pissott

The Aces clearly see something in the 6'3" Pissot, and have extended an offer sheet to Pissott per the WNBA's transaction page, which would give her a standard contract and move her to their regular roster.

Now the Fever has 24 hours to match the Aces' offer as per the developmental contract rules, or it will lose her to the reigning champions.

Pissott was drafted as the 22nd overall pick by the Fever out of Vanderbilt. While she was a guard in college, she also projects as a potential stretch four in the WNBA due to her size, a position of need for the Fever.

Pissott shot 42.2% on 6.6 attempts per game from three in her final season at Vanderbilt. She averaged 11.1 points per game.

Till now, Pissott has only played one preseason game for the Fever against the New York Liberty, where she had 8 points in 10 minutes and shot 2-3 from deep.

Considering the Aces have a knack for talent ID and the Fever need a stretch big that Pissott could eventually fill, it seems wise for head coach Stephanie White and co. to match the offer and make the corresponding moves.

So, do you think the Indiana Fever will eventually keep Pissott on the team before time runs out? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Her Sports Nation!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy