Former GM Natalie Williams has not yet been replaced after her contract was not renewed in OctoberGetty Images
It is “unclear” who is serving as the Las Vegas Aces’ primary negotiator during the free agency period this year, as former GM Natalie Williams’ contract was not renewed in October and she has “yet to be replaced,” according to Callie Fin of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Aces President Nikki Fargas previously said that the team was going to “take (its) time” to figure out how the front office restructuring would look, but it “doesn’t appear any formal title changes have taken place since then.” Ahead of the expansion draft last month, coach Becky Hammon said that she was “focused on replacing” former assistants Natalie Nakase and Tyler Marsh but that planning for the expansion draft was “definitely more by committee.” When asked if she would want to “act as general manager unofficially,” Hammon said that she “doesn’t feel qualified for the role and wants to keep basketball as the main thing.” She mentioned Fargas, VP/Basketball Operations Tonya Holley and assistant coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson as “notable contributors.” WNBA free agency negotiations can begin Jan. 21, but players cannot officially sign deals until Feb. 1 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL, 1/10).
