The Las Vegas Aces will begin their 2025 WNBA regular-season schedule with a matchup against the reigning league-champion New York Liberty on May 17.
Just a few days before that season-opening contest, the Aces made an unexpected announcement regarding rookie guard Deja Kelly.
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The Aces waived Kelly on Monday, sparking controversy around the WNBA world.
Just a few days after going undrafted through the 2025 WNBA selection process, Kelly signed a training camp contract with the Aces. The former North Carolina/Oregon guard recorded 15 points through 13 minutes off the bench in the Aces’ May 6 preseason matchup against the Phoenix Mercury — including a game-winning jumpshot in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
“Roster Update: The Aces have waived Deja Kelly,” the team wrote in an announcement on X.
This decision came as a surprise to many around the basketball world, including Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard.
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Lillard reacted to the announcement with a post on his Instagram story.
“Wthelly,” Lillard wrote.
Lillard, 34, suffered a torn Achilles during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series loss to the Indiana Pacers. The veteran guard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game in 2024-25, earning his ninth career All-Star selection.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard reacts with forward Kyle Kuzma in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game 4 of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Benny Sieu
Kelly is now on the hunt for a new WNBA team before the 2025 season.
“As long as I’m myself, I will be content with whatever the future holds for me, whatever that looks like,” Kelly said at the Aces’ media day earlier this offseason. “That’s something that I’ve really tried to keep at the forefront, and just being myself and knowing that it’ll all work out. That’s the best advice that they’ve given me.”
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