Aces lose 1st-round pick, Hammon suspended

The WNBA rescinded the Las Vegas Aces‘ 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games following an investigation that found the franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.

According to the league, which announced the penalties Tuesday, the team violation entailed promises of impermissible benefits during contract extension negotiations for former Aces player Dearica Hamby. The Respect in the Workplace violation stemmed from comments Hammon made to Hamby in connection to the latter’s pregnancy.

The Aces don’t have a 2024 first-round selection because of a prior trade.

The Aces said in a statement Tuesday evening that they were “deeply disappointed by the outcome of the WNBA investigation.

“We are committed to supporting all our players to the fullest extent allowed by the WNBA,” the statement said. “Our actions have always been consistent with our responsibility to hold ourselves to the highest professional standards, and the facts we presented were consistent with these standards. The well-being of our players and their families has and will always be at the forefront of who we are.

“The WNBA’s determinations about Becky Hammon are inconsistent with what we know and love about her. Becky is a caring human being who forges close personal relationships with her players. We stand behind Coach Hammon as she continues to lead the Las Vegas Aces.”

The WNBA Players Association said in a statement that the league’s ruling Tuesday “misses the mark.”

“Where in this decision does this team or any other team across the League learn the lesson that respect in the workplace is the highest standard and a player’s dignity cannot be manipulated? Incidents of misconduct by a team staff cannot always be compared but recent penalties imposed by the League, and an honest view of the facts, demonstrate that this penalty is far from appropriate,” the statement said. “While taking away a future draft pick is significant and had never been done in the League’s history, it penalizes a future player by removing an opportunity to compete for a job.”

The WNBPA added that it would support Hamby as she considers the WNBA’s “decision and explores all available remedies.”

Hamby, who this offseason was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks, took her allegations public, alleging in an Instagram post that her former organization treated her in an “unprofessional and unethical way that … has been traumatizing” due to her pregnancy. At the time, she did not specify which member of the organization allegedly made disparaging comments.

The league investigated Hamby’s claims, as well as allegations of salary cap circumvention that came out shortly thereafter; the league said the investigation was not able to substantiate any of those particular allegations.

Hamby, who said she was informed of the WNBA’s decision Monday, spoke to reporters in Los Angeles on Tuesday after practice.

“I kind of want to move forward and focus on where I am today. I’m healthy, I’m happy. My son is healthy,” Hamby said of her baby, Legend. “I’m going to be playing basketball this season. This part of it is over; me and the union will continue to explore more options.

“My daughter, when it happened, she literally said, ‘Are you getting traded because of Legend?’ And it made me cry. I was like, ‘Kinda.’ She asked about L.A. She understands now. She is enjoying L.A., I’m enjoying L.A. We’re moving forward. It’s still a very sensitive subject for me at times.”

The WNBA’s investigation included interviews with 33 people and a review of numerous texts, emails and other documents, the league said.

“It is critical that we uphold the values of integrity and fairness, which create a level playing field for our teams,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “The Aces failed to adhere to league rules and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly. We are also disheartened by the violation of our Respect in the Workplace policies and remain committed to ensuring that enhanced training is conducted and standards are followed across all WNBA teams.”

ESPN’s M.A. Voepel contributed to this report.