
Bournemouth reach agreement to appoint Rose as Iraola successor
Bournemouth has reached an agreement to appoint Marco Rose as their new head coach, succeeding Andoni Iraola.
The Las Vegas Aces are focused on continuity to defend their WNBA championship by re-signing existing players without making new signings or trades. This strategy is seen as essential but may also be viewed as uneventful and potentially inadequate.
Jackie Young, Aāja Wilson and Becky Hammon. | Getty Images
The defending-champion Las Vegas Aces are running it back!
Thus far, the organization appears to have determined that continuity is the best path back to a WNBA championship, as the Aces have not signed or traded for any new players, only re-signed returners.
Itās an approach that is essential, uneventful and (potentially) inadequate. Hereās more on why those three descriptors apply to the Acesā offseason. And Aces fans, hop in the comments to spill your thoughts on the teamās offseason process.
Aājaās back, and thatās all that really matters.
As long as Wilson remains in silver and black, many potential worries are alleviated, as the four-time MāVP has just about confirmed her status as the WNBA GOAT through both her floor-raising and ceiling-lifting two-way talents. The supermaxā$1.4 million starting in Year 1āis Wilsonās if she wants it. As her signing has yet to be confirmed, it seems like she might be allowing the organization to take care of the rest of their roster accounting before officially inking her deal.
That accounting has included two more essentials: re-signing Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Young is coming back on a one-year deal at the regular max of $1.19 million, while Gray signed a three-year contract that totals $3 million.
Even with all the activity elsewhere around the league, no team claims a core that can compete with the proven success of Aāja-Jack-Chels.
Iām guessing no will argue that retaining Aāja is unimportant. Does everyone feel the same about Jackie and Chelsea? Do you want to see this trio get as many chances as possible to chase a championship together?
Still, fans of every teamāeven one that is coming off a titleācraves the excitement of change. The free agency frenzy has fans feasting for moves.
Why didnāt the Aces trade for Angel Reese or Rickea Jackson? Why couldnāt they lure unrestricted free agents Satou Sabally or Gabby Williams?
The Aces, instead, opted for the familiar, retaining all of Jewell Loyd, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Kierstan Bell. Despite her rougher-than-expected adjustment to a new role, Loyd eventually found her niche, which she will continue to fill on a three-year deal that is worth more than $2.2 million. Parker-Tyus, who played just two regular-season games last season due to maternity leave, is back on a one-year contract. Bell signed a non-guaranteed training camp deal.
Will the Aces continue to re-invest in the group that ended the 2025 WNBA season on a 16-game regular-season winning streak?
The rest of the Acesā championship contributorsāDana Evans, NaLyssa Smith, Megan Gustafson and Kiah Stokesāall remained unsigned. At this point, it will not be surprising if the majority, if not all, of them are back in Vegas, re-signed for the run-it-back back-to-back campaign.
Sure, itās not that exciting. But, it could be most effective.
What do you think? Is keeping the same cast a smart strategy? Does everyone who was part of last seasonās title deserve an opportunity to be part of the repeat?
However, while the Aces appear on track to almost entirely run back a championship-winning team that reeled off a still-active 16-game regular-season winning streak, this same group stumbled through the first half of the 2025 WNBA season.
And stumbled is putting it kindly. The Aces appeared done, doomed by a roster that seemed unable to adequately support Wilson. Vegas hovered around .500, fated for the fringes of the playoffs, until their improbable turnaround.
Based on their offseason approach, it appears the organization believes that the stellar second half, not the forgettable first half, is the real Aces.
And even if thatās true, should the Aces count on staying on top by staying the same? Does going back-to-back require more boldness?
Should the team have sought an upgrade from Loyd, such as a younger player who bring more two-way force? While Gray was great in Unrivaled, should the team have at least considered a younger alternative? Should Vegas have made acquiring a high-caliber frontcourt partner for Aāja, a longstanding need, a priority? And are there still free agents floating out there who could be difference-makers?
Wilsonās excellence should not be an excuse for inactivity. Just because she raises imperfect rosters doesnāt mean the Aces should repeatedly burden her with that task. The Aces want to repeat as champions, not repeat the toll that last seasonās struggles took on Aāja.
Are you concerned about the Acesā approach? Are they too complacent? Should the team be doing something more to guard against another in-season slump? Or, do you think the organization might have tried to make some significant moves, but was just unable to do so?
The Las Vegas Aces are focusing on continuity by re-signing their existing players instead of signing new ones or making trades.
Key returning players include Jackie Young and Aāja Wilson, among others, as the Aces have chosen to retain their championship roster.
The strategy may be viewed as inadequate because it lacks new talent and could limit the team's ability to improve or adapt to competition.
Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments, indicating a mix of opinions on the team's decision to prioritize continuity over new acquisitions.

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