Aces hire Hammon as head coach to reportedly record 5-year contract

The Las Vegas Aces hired WNBA legend and current San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon to be the team's next head coach, the front office announced Friday.

The deal has a five-year term and will make Hammon the WNBA's highest-paid coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"This is where I come from, and I wouldn't be me without the W," the 44-year-old said. "I'm thrilled to be able to give back and lead this next group of women."

Hammon played 16 WNBA seasons split between the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars and earned six All-Star appearances. She became the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history by joining the Spurs shortly after retiring as a player in 2014. Hammon intends to finish out the season with the Spurs before joining the Aces, according to Wojnarowski.

Outgoing Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer will shift to an advisory role with the organization and focus on constructing the roster ahead of the 2022 season.

"This is the best possible scenario for the Las Vegas Aces," Laimbeer said. "It takes a tremendous amount of energy to be a head coach. In Becky, the team now has somebody who can serve in that role for the long term, which is great for both the players and the franchise."

The WNBA's free-agency period is set to open on Feb. 1. The Aces currently have just three players under contract - Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, and Kelsey Plum. Star forward A'ja Wilson is entering restricted free agency, while longtime center Liz Cambage is set to be an unrestricted free agent.