​Chennedy Carter’s status as a top-tier scorer in the WNBA remains in question after the Las Vegas Aces stunned the league with a midseason roster move. The Aces announced on Tuesday that they had released Carter, a former No. 4 overall pick, just months after giving her another chance to rehabilitate her career. The timing of the decision, ahead of the league’s midseason roster deadline, added another twist to the already dramatic arc of one of the league’s most talented yet polarizing players. While Las Vegas did not offer an explicit explanation for the move, Carter’s release raises fresh questions about whether she will secure another opportunity with another team in the WNBA.
In a surprising shake-up, the Aces also added rookie Justine Pissott to a rest-of-season contract. Pissott, who previously spent time on a developmental deal with the Indiana Fever, joined Las Vegas after Carter’s departure. The decision to waive Carter and bring in a rookie ahead of the deadline caught many observers off guard and underscored the volatility surrounding her career.
Carter opened the season as one of the WNBA’s most productive reserves, delivering an impressive 17.5 points per game in May while shooting an eye-popping 65.1 percent from the floor and 58.8 percent from three-point range. She quickly emerged as the Aces’ second-leading scorer behind A’ja Wilson and looked like a strong early candidate for the Sixth Player of the Year award. Her performance positioned her as a key weapon for a team aiming to defend its title.
However, the momentum she built rapidly shifted in the ensuing weeks. A leg injury sidelined Carter for several games in June, and an undisclosed illness caused her to miss additional time. Upon her return, her role diminished noticeably. Over five appearances in June and July, she averaged just 3.8 points and logged fewer than 12 minutes per game, signaling a shift in the Aces’ rotation and plans. The defending champions ultimately opted to move in a different direction, reshaping their bench and rotation heading into the stretch run of the season.
Carter’s WNBA journey began with high expectations after starring at Texas A&M and being selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2020 WNBA Draft. She immediately showcased star potential, averaging 17.4 points as a rookie despite dealing with an ankle injury that briefly sidelined her. Since then, her career has been marked by a combination of undeniable talent and a string of off-court questions and paces of movement that have kept her in flux. The 2021 season saw Atlanta suspend her indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, followed by a trade to the Los Angeles Sparks. Her stint with the Sparks lasted only one season, reportedly ending after she was benched for conduct-related reasons before ultimately being waived.
After spending 2023 out of the league, Carter resurfaced with the Chicago Sky in 2024 and reminded the league of her scoring ability by averaging 17.5 points per game. Although she led Chicago in scoring, the Sky chose not to retain her for concerns about locker-room dynamics, and she spent 2025 playing professionally in Mexico. The Aces then gave her another opportunity this season, but Tuesday’s decision abruptly changed the narrative once again, leaving Carter at a crossroads in a career that has often promised more than it has delivered.
As Carter’s next steps remain uncertain, questions will persist about whether she can land with another WNBA club and, if so, where she might fit within a new system. Her talent is undeniable, and when fully engaged, she can provide elite scoring and offensive versatility. Yet the recent pattern of short stints and off-court concerns has created an element of volatility around her path forward. In the interim, teams across the league will be weighing Carter’s potential fit against the risks associated with integrating a veteran player who has experienced multiple career pivots.
The situation remains a focal point for discussions about roster construction, player development, and the realities of managing a high-variance talent in today’s WNBA landscape. Carter’s name continues to evoke strong opinions, and her future will likely hinge on finding the right fit—one that can harness her scoring prowess while fostering a stable environment that supports long-term success. For now, the latest move by the Las Vegas Aces serves as a stark reminder that even players with stellar early-career promise must continually prove their value in a league that evolves quickly and demands consistent contribution. As the league moves forward, the question remains: where will Carter land next, and how will she adapt to the next chapter of her professional basketball journey?