Nightmare offseason scenario could immediately ruin the Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces secured their third championship in four years, overcoming a challenging start to the season where they struggled to maximize Jewell Loyd's performance and faced issues with the Kelsey Plum trade. After a turnaround, they surged to the second seed and swept the Phoenix Mercury in the finals, showcasing their resilience and team cohesion.

A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray solidified their status as one of the best cores in league history, with the Aces aiming to re-sign all three in free agency. However, the upcoming free agency period and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) could introduce surprises, including the possibility of Jackie Young leaving the team. Losing Young would be a significant blow, as she is a vital part of the Aces' success.

A'ja Wilson, a four-time MVP and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, is the driving force behind the Aces, but she requires championship-level support to reach her full potential. Jackie Young has been highly impactful, averaging over 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in each of the past four seasons, while expanding her role as a top perimeter defender, secondary scorer, and playmaker, especially after Plum's departure. In the playoffs, she set career highs with 20.4 points and 5.5 assists per game.

Although losing Kelsey Plum was a tough challenge that the Aces managed to overcome, the potential departure of Jackie Young could be more devastating and potentially unrecoverable. However, it is unlikely she will leave, as there are no indications of her wanting to depart, and few teams can offer a more enticing opportunity than winning another championship with the Aces. Additionally, if coring remains under the new CBA, the Aces are expected to use it to retain her, making a move elsewhere improbable.