The Las Vegas Aces are set to refresh their coaching staff and potentially hire a new general manager after an exodus from the WNBA franchise.

Last month, the Aces lost assistant coach Natalie Nakase as she left to become the head coach of the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Her hire made history; Nakase, whose playing career was cut short by injury, is the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history.

Weeks later, the Aces announced that general manager Natalie Williams was to depart the franchise. Her contract was ultimately not renewed as part of a “restructuring of the front office.”

Then, last week, Las Vegas announced that assistant coach Tyler Marsh was leaving to become the head coach of Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky. Marsh was also the Head of Player Development with the Aces, who won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023 with both himself and Nakase on the staff.

The Aces have endured a difficult offseason thus far, with so many exits and changes following their elimination in the WNBA semifinals at the hands of the New York Liberty. But changes bring the opportunity for a fresh start, and the Aces are keeping their options open.

“It depends on how quickly we hire somebody or don’t hire someone,” team president Nikki Fargas said on Sunday. “Really trying to figure that part out, got to talk to Becky about that.”

When asked if the Aces plan to hire a new general manager or give the reins to coach Becky Hammon, Fargas said: “We’re just going to take our time to look at what the restructuring of it will look like.”

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The Aces and reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson were eliminated by the Liberty

The Aces and reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson were eliminated by the Liberty ( 

Image:

AP)

Fargas revealed she and Hammon are discussing options for replacements for Nakase and Marsh. The duo hopes to have installed assistants before free agency begins in January.

As for the general manager role, Fargas insisted nothing is decided. Explaining why Williams is set to leave, she added: “One of the things I will say about our organization is that we obviously love for us to bring in and give people opportunities. And we’re so excited about the path that is in front of everyone.”

Several Aces players clashed with Reese on social media after the Sky forward took to social media to celebrate the hire of Marsh. Sydney Colson called out Reese on her “disrespect”, but the 22-year-old hit back by writing: “Sorry, but your time is UP. It’s our turn! I’ll send you some tissue tho sister girl unless you want to come join this side too.”

When Alysha Clark lamented she needed a day to mourn the loss of Marsh, Reese hit back: ”Snatchiesssssss. sorry not sorry sis.”