A'ja Wilson Becomes First $5 Million Player in WNBA History, Re-Signs With Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces are making history by re-signing A’ja Wilson on a three-year, $5 million supermax contract. It’s now the largest deal in WNBA history.

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

With the new collective bargaining agreement resulting in million-dollar contracts across the WNBA, nearly every veteran timed her contract to be a free agent this offseason. Wilson could have commanded a maximum contract from any franchise in the league. She chose to stay and earned a historic amount.

Wilson responded with a one-word statement, “YKWTFGO.”

In addition to retaining Wilson, the Aces have also re-signed guards Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, and Dana Evans, along with forwards NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. The franchise added new pieces in forward-center Brianna Turner, who spent last season with the Indiana Fever, and veteran forward Stephanie Talbot.

The band is back together.

A’ja Wilson just signed the largest contract in WNBA history: 3 years, $5 million!

“When you are talking about GOATs of the W, I need my name up there. At least top 3.”

(Via @PodcastPShow) pic.twitter.com/oYFCAPWJq9 https://t.co/ozNmvMRoSW

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 15, 2026

Two rookies round out the roster — Tennessee forward Janiah Barker and Kentucky guard Jordan Obi. The bench lost Aaliyah Nye to the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft, Kiah Stokes to the Golden State Valkyries, and Megan Gustafson to the Portland Fire. With Wilson locked in, Las Vegas still returns 90 percent of its scoring from the 2025 championship roster.

Wilson emerged as the only player in WNBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same season. The MVP was her fourth after also winning in 2020, 2022, and 2024. She became the first player to win four MVPs.

A’ja Wilson Earns Massive Payday

In 40 regular-season games, Wilson averaged 23.4 points on 50.5 percent shooting, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks. Las Vegas went on a 16-game winning streak to close out the year, and Wilson averaged 26.1 points and 12.0 rebounds while shooting 59.3 percent from three during that run.

What happens in Sin City, stays in Sin City

The 4x M’VP @_ajawilson22 isn’t going A’nywhere! pic.twitter.com/4FBoVEiq6V

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 15, 2026

The playoffs brought more of the same. She dropped 38 points in a closeout win over the Seattle Storm, then posted 35 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks when the Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever in the semifinals. Las Vegas went on to win its third championship in four seasons by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals.

“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Aces president and general manager Nikki Fargas said. “Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity, and grace.”

Wilson, 29, has played all eight of her WNBA seasons in Las Vegas after being drafted No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in 2018. Her career averages of 21.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks rank first, third, and fourth all-time in league history on a per-game basis — across just 267 games, a total that does not crack the top 100 in games played.

The league is changing around her. Portland and Toronto tip off their inaugural seasons in 2026, with Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia franchises on the way in the years ahead. The expansion of talent across more rosters figures to make sustained dominance harder to maintain. For now, the Aces are better positioned than anyone to handle it.

Las Vegas opens the 2026 season May 9 against the Phoenix Mercury in a WNBA Finals rematch at Michelob Ultra Arena.