“We are incredibly grateful for Natalie’s invaluable efforts in helping build the Aces into the premier franchise in the WNBA,” said Aces president Nikki Fargas in a press release. “Her time with the organization extends back to the league’s formative years in Utah, and she will forever be a part of our history, having left an indelible mark as both a player and an executive. We wish the best for Natalie and her family.”
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Williams became general manager of the Aces in 2022, the same offseason that head coach Becky Hammon was hired. The two of them had worked in lockstep, building the roster that had taken the Aces to two straight WNBA championships. Williams was also a member of the Aces from 1999-2002, back when they were the Utah Starzz.
In Williams’ three years as general manager, the Aces had some of the best seasons in franchise history and won back-to-back WNBA championships. They also attracted some high-level free agents in Candace Parker, Alysha Clark and Tiffany Hayes. Williams also helped get extensions signed for 2024 MVP A’ja Wilson, as well as 2022 Most Improved Player Jackie Young and 2022 Finals MVP Chelsea Gray.
During her tenure, the Aces were hit and miss when it came to the WNBA Draft. In Williams’ first year, the team drafted Mya Hollingshed and Kierstan Bell with their two first round picks. Hollingshed is no longer playing in the league, while Bell has shown improvement in her three seasons, but hasn’t averaged more than 12 minutes a game in her career. They had just a third-round pick in 2023, but drafted Dyashia Fair, Kate Martin and Elizabeth Kitley in 2024.
Fair played in just one game before being waived to make room for Hayes. Kitley missed the whole season recovering from an ACL tear, but has been around the team which may allow her to find a spot on the roster next year. Martin was the steal of the draft for the Aces, as she was a second-round pick and averaged 11.5 minutes a game this season. She especially important early in the season when Gray was recovering from injury and Hayes wasn’t on the roster yet.
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“It has been a joy and honor to serve as general manager of the Las Vegas Aces,” said Williams in a press release. “Winning two WNBA Championships with this incredible group of players and staff has been a dream come true. I want to thank Mark Davis and the Aces Organization for the incredible opportunity to help lead this franchise. I love the WNBA, and it has been wonderful watching the growth of the game. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
It is currently unknown who will become the next general manager for the Aces, but whoever it is will have to get to work quickly. Kelsey Plum is a free agent, the expansion draft is coming up in December and the free agency period looms large. The Aces have struggled with depth over the last few championship seasons and it will be interesting to see if that is a focus of the new general manager. Whomever they are, they will have big shoes to fill for a franchise that has high expectations after winning two of the last three WNBA championships.
