


The Las Vegas Aces have been docked their next first-round draft pick and head coach Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games by the WNBA over separate incidents.
The WNBA announced Tuesday that the Aces are losing their 2025 first-round pick — they already traded away 2024’s — for “promises of impermissible benefits” in salary negotiations with their former player, Dearica Hamby.
Hammon, 46, is suspended two games without pay “for violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies” for comments made by the coach to Hamby while the player was pregnant.
Hamby had accused the franchise of calling her a “question mark,” claiming that she “didn’t hold up [her] end of the bargain.”
She also said she was criticized for “not taking precautions to not get pregnant.”
Hamby was traded from the Aces to the Sparks this offseason.
Hammon’s name has come up in candidacy for NBA head coaching jobs in recent years.
When the Aces signed forward Alysha Clark and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker, the WNBA announced an investigation to see if they received “impermissible benefits” of being paid under the table.
Parker made $195,000 last season, but signed with the Aces for $100,000, according to USA Today.
The WNBA said Tuesday it could not “substantiate” that violations occurred in these instances.
“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 announcing discipline for Hammon and the Aces.
“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 teams.”
Owned by Raiders owner Mark Davis, the Aces are the defending WNBA champions.