WNBA free agency just took an unexpected turn!
Saturday afternoon, Candace Parker posted on Instagram that she’d be joining the reigning world champion Las Vegas Aces for the 2023 season.
The news came out of nowhere as not many had connected Parker and the Aces. The thought was that the two-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP would either return to Chicago (her hometown) for a third season or head back to Los Angeles where she’d spent most of her famed basketball career.
Instead, Parker is off to the City of Sin to help the Aces try to repeat as league champions, leaving everyone stunned.
The Aces will continue to be must-see basketball with the addition of Parker. They have +145 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the 2023 championship.
Here's how WNBA Twitter reacted:
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) January 28, 2023
Yeerrrrrrrrxvshjsjssjaksk https://t.co/WfJP4TVoWu
— Chelsea Gray (@cgray209) January 28, 2023
Cue the song reunited**
— Chelsea Gray (@cgray209) January 28, 2023
Man @Candace_Parker going to @LVAces my Gawd that’s unfair I’m getting to some of them runs
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 28, 2023
KELSEY PLUM, CHELSEA GRAY, A’JA WILSON, AND CANDACE PARKER????? THIS IS LEGAL????
— Noor (@noorrzainab) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker to the Aces is INSANE! Who is beating them???? 🤯
— Jordan Ligons Robinson. (@_jordanligons) January 28, 2023
“Candace Parker is signing with the Las Vegas Aces, she announced on social media.”
The rest of the WNBA: pic.twitter.com/7OjxAMYuSm
— Moody (@EricNMoody) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker to the Aces is wildddd 🤯🤯
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) January 28, 2023
https://twitter.com/WBBWorldWide/status/1619468543086710784
THE BEST TEAM IN WOMENS BASKETBALL
THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS
WITH THE REIGNING MVP AND DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JUST ADDED CANDACE PARKER
— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker
A'ja Wilson
Kelsey Plum
Chelsea GrayForget about the Big Three. That's the Big FOUR.
(And let's not forget about Jackie Young, either.)
— Lyndsey D'Arcangelo (@darcangel21) January 28, 2023
Everyone finding out @Candace_Parker is going to the @LVAces 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rGuQ6fAk4G
— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker to Vegas OMG.
CP3 and A'ja on the same team. pic.twitter.com/aXFKXpizOM
— Kelsey Trainor (@ktrain_11) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker to the ACES!!!
They REALLLLYYYY finna be sick of us.
A Gamecock, Irish, annndddd Lady Vol on a team together 😤😤😤🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/NxGPZYx11x
— B. Terrell (@itsBTerrell) January 28, 2023
How A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker and the Las Vegas Aces walking into next season pic.twitter.com/fzfaTTZNVN
— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) January 28, 2023
Candace Parker and A'ja Wilson in the same frontcourt? WHEW https://t.co/cplgJBNiA9
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) January 28, 2023