The Shocking Five: Inside The Las Vegas Aces’ Brutal 2025 Roster Cuts That Rocked The WNBA

The Las Vegas Aces, the WNBA’s reigning dynasty, are known for their championship pedigree, but the road to a final roster is always paved with incredibly difficult decisions. As of the current date, December 16, 2025, the most recent and arguably most brutal roster cuts of the season came during the final days of the Aces' 2025 training camp, where five talented players were released to finalize the 12-woman roster.

The competition for a spot on a championship-caliber team is fierce, and the Aces’ 2025 training camp was no exception. Head Coach Becky Hammon and her staff had the unenviable task of trimming a deep pool of talent, including both experienced veterans and promising rookies, to meet the league's strict roster limit. The final cuts saw a former first-round pick and a fan-favorite undrafted rookie surprisingly waived, sending a clear message about the team's commitment to only the most elite, specialized talent.

The Complete List of Las Vegas Aces 2025 Roster Cuts

The Aces’ training camp roster, which began with 17 hopefuls, was systematically whittled down over a three-week period in April and May 2025. The cuts were a mix of international players, undrafted rookies, and WNBA veterans, highlighting the ruthless nature of the final roster deadline. Here is a detailed breakdown of the five players who were waived and their career profiles.

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1. Deja Kelly: The Undrafted Rookie Who Shocked in Preseason

The final cut, and arguably the most surprising for fans, was the waiving of guard Deja Kelly on May 12, 2025. Her release came just days after she drained a game-winning shot in a preseason matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, a moment that had many believing she had secured a spot.

• Position: Guard
• Height: 5-8
• Waived Date: May 12, 2025
• College/Draft Status: Undrafted Free Agent; played at North Carolina and finished her collegiate career at the University of Oregon.
• Notable Career Points: Kelly averaged an impressive 12.0 points and 1.5 assists during the 2025 preseason games, demonstrating her ability to score at the professional level.

2. Queen Egbo: The Former First-Round Center

The waiving of Queen Egbo on May 7, 2025, was a significant move, as she was a former lottery pick with WNBA experience. The decision to cut the 6-foot-4 center showed the Aces prioritizing the veteran depth of their existing frontcourt.

• Position: Forward/Center
• Height: 6-4
• Waived Date: May 7, 2025
• College/Draft Status: Drafted 10th overall (1st Round) in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Played college basketball at Baylor University.
• Notable Career Points: Egbo was a two-time candidate for the Lisa Leslie Award in college and was part of the 2019 NCAA Championship team at Baylor. Her departure cleared a key frontcourt spot.

3. Harmoni Turner: The Aces’ Own Draft Pick

The Aces made the difficult decision to cut one of their own 2025 draft selections, Harmoni Turner, on the same day as Egbo. Waiving a third-round pick like Turner is a common, yet tough, reality in the WNBA due to the limited number of roster spots.

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• Position: Guard
• Height: 5-10
• Waived Date: May 7, 2025
• College/Draft Status: Drafted 35th overall (3rd Round) in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Played college at Harvard University.
• Notable Career Points: Turner was an Honorable Mention AP All-America in college, showcasing her potential as a versatile guard.

4. Jordyn Jenkins: The Decorated Collegiate Forward

Jordyn Jenkins was waived on April 30, 2025, after signing a training camp contract. Jenkins brought an impressive collegiate resume, but the competition in the Aces’ forward rotation proved too deep.

• Position: Forward
• Height: 6-0
• Waived Date: April 30, 2025
• College/Draft Status: Undrafted Free Agent. Was a two-time Conference Player of the Year (C-USA and AAC) during her time at UTSA and USC.

5. Elena Tsineke: The International Guard

Elena Tsineke was the first player released during the 2025 training camp period, waived on April 24, 2025. The Greek guard, who was a former second-round pick, was unable to secure a spot in a crowded backcourt.

• Position: Guard
• Height: 5-8
• Waived Date: April 24, 2025
• College/Draft Status: Drafted 20th overall (2nd Round) in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Played college at the University of South Florida (USF).

Why the Aces Make Such Difficult Roster Decisions

The Las Vegas Aces roster cuts are a microcosm of the WNBA’s greatest challenge: a severe lack of roster spots. The league mandates a maximum of just 12 players per team, meaning only 144 jobs are available across the entire WNBA. When a team is as stacked with talent as the Aces, the competition becomes hyper-intensive, forcing coaches to cut players who would easily make a roster on other teams.

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For the Aces, every decision is about specialization and fit around their core superstars. Head Coach Becky Hammon is not looking for general talent; she is looking for specific role players who can execute their system flawlessly. The waiving of a former first-round pick like Queen Egbo and a preseason standout like Deja Kelly demonstrates this ruthless efficiency. The team prioritized players with guaranteed contracts and those who demonstrated an immediate, perfect fit for their two-time championship aspirations.

The roster decisions also reflect the team's cap management. By releasing non-guaranteed contracts, the Aces maintain the financial flexibility necessary to sustain their core of high-salary players. This business side of basketball is often the true driver behind the most shocking cuts, regardless of a player’s performance in training camp or preseason games.

The Finalized 2025 Las Vegas Aces Roster: Key Entities

With the roster cuts complete, the Las Vegas Aces finalized their 12-player roster, a group built around their established core of Olympic gold medalists and WNBA All-Stars. This final roster represents the ultimate collection of talent aiming for another championship run.

The following entities are the key players and staff who remain with the Las Vegas Aces for the 2025 WNBA season, forming the foundation of the team's topical authority:

• A'ja Wilson: Reigning MVP and cornerstone of the franchise.
• Chelsea Gray: Veteran point guard and orchestrator of the offense.
• Jewell Loyd: An elite guard providing scoring punch.
• Tiffany Mitchell: Experienced guard/wing.
• Kierstan Bell: Young forward and key depth piece.
• Kiah Stokes: Veteran center providing defense and rebounding.
• Megan Gustafson: Backup center with a strong post presence.
• Dana Evans: Guard acquired to bolster the backcourt rotation.
• Aaliyah Nye: Rookie guard/forward and 2025 draft pick who made the team.
• Elizabeth Kitley: Center with high potential.
• Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: Forward/Center providing frontcourt versatility.
• Crystal Bradford: Guard/Wing who secured a spot after a strong camp.
• Becky Hammon: Head Coach, known for her strategic excellence.
• Natalie Nakase: First Assistant Coach.
• Tyler Marsh: Assistant Coach/Head of Player Development.
• Charlene Thomas-Swinson: Assistant Coach.

The final roster decisions for the Las Vegas Aces were a painful but necessary process. The waiving of players like Deja Kelly and Queen Egbo underscores the high-stakes, low-spot environment of the WNBA. While the cuts were shocking, they ultimately led to the formation of a highly focused and streamlined squad ready to compete for yet another WNBA title in the 2025 season.