Chennedy Carter Was Cut by the Aces After Just 12 Weeks

Chennedy Carter signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Aces in April, hoping for a fresh start in the WNBA. She scored 96 points in her first five games off the bench, setting a record for the best bench start to a WNBA season. But just 12 weeks after signing, on July 7, the Aces let her go — releasing her right before her salary would have had to be paid in full.

Carter grew up dreaming of playing in the WNBA. As a child, she slept with a basketball next to her pillow, a gift from her cousin, former WNBA guard Jia Perkins. She was selected in the first round of the 2020 WNBA Draft out of Texas A&M, which showed how much teams believed in her talent.

Before Las Vegas, Carter had played for three other teams — the Atlanta Dream, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Chicago Sky. At each stop, injuries, suspensions, or disagreements caused problems. Because things kept going wrong, she missed the entire 2025 WNBA season and played overseas instead.

Joining the Aces as a backup was a big change for Carter. She had always wanted to be a starter and once said she had no interest in a Sixth Player Award. But she told USA TODAY in May that she had matured: 'Now I'm here, and this is something that I'm chasing, you know?'

Her fast start excited fans and teammates alike. Coach Becky Hammon praised her nonstop energy and called her a key part of the team's plan. The Sixth Player of the Year award for the 2026 season seemed like it could easily be hers.

Trouble began on May 17, after the Aces beat Atlanta 85-84. Carter had 20 points, but Hammon kept her on the bench during the tight fourth quarter. Carter left the postgame press conference looking unhappy, and fans began questioning her attitude.

More tension came after a May 28 loss to the Dallas Wings. A rookie named Azzi Fudd scored 22 points with Carter as her main defender. Carter posted on social media that her limited role was 'completely unfair,' even though her scoring numbers were strong. It was clear she was frustrated.

After that, Carter's playing time became unpredictable. She missed games with a leg injury and then an illness. She scored 18 points in the Commissioner's Cup championship game but was used sparingly in the Aces' final two regular games. In her second-to-last appearance, she scored only four points in 11 minutes.

Her final game was July 5, a loss to the Indiana Fever, where she went scoreless in 15 minutes. Coach Hammon said she made 'an executive decision' about what was working for the team. Two days later, Carter was officially waived and replaced by rookie Justine Pissott.

Hammon had worked hard to make Carter feel valued from the start. She said she thought every morning about how to help Carter succeed. But Hammon also admitted she hadn't had enough time with Carter to fully understand her, and their partnership never fully came together.

Teammate Kierstan Bell said Carter was a positive presence in the locker room early in the season. 'We know she's a great player, and we know the things in the past that probably hasn't worked for her,' Bell said. After being released, Carter unfollowed nearly the entire Aces roster on social media.

Carter's best WNBA season was 2024 with the Chicago Sky, where she averaged 17.5 points per game. Former coach Teresa Weatherspoon said Carter's confidence comes from all she has been through. At 27, Carter still has time to find a new team — but each release makes the road back harder.