The Las Vegas Aces made one of the biggest roster moves of the 2026 WNBA season by waiving Chennedy Carter and signing rookie forward Justine Pissott. The decision surprised many fans because Carter had been a productive scorer off the bench and was viewed as an important depth piece for the defending contenders.
While roster moves are common during the WNBA season, this transaction generated significant discussion across the basketball world. Carter’s talent has never been questioned, but her career has been marked by both impressive performances and frequent team changes. Meanwhile, Justine Pissott earned an opportunity to join the Aces after beginning her professional career in the Indiana Fever organization.
Here’s everything you need to know about Chennedy Carter, Justine Pissott, the Las Vegas Aces, and why Carter was waived.
Chennedy Carter’s Journey to the Las Vegas Aces
Chennedy Carter entered the WNBA as one of the league’s most exciting young guards. Known for her elite speed, aggressive drives to the basket, and ability to score in bunches, she quickly established herself as one of the most talented offensive players from her draft class.
After several stops in the league, Carter signed a training camp contract with the Las Vegas Aces before the 2026 season. She successfully earned a roster spot and became an important scoring option off the bench.
Her arrival gave Las Vegas another player capable of creating offense without relying on the team’s star lineup.
Why Did the Las Vegas Aces Waive Chennedy Carter?
The Aces officially announced that they had waived Chennedy Carter on July 7, 2026. The move came just before the league’s roster deadline and coincided with the signing of rookie Justine Pissott.
Although the organization did not provide an extensive explanation, several factors likely influenced the decision:
1. Roster Flexibility
WNBA teams have limited roster spots, making every position valuable. Teams often make difficult choices to improve positional balance rather than simply keeping the highest-scoring players.
2. Frontcourt Depth
Las Vegas signed Justine Pissott, a versatile 6-foot-4 forward capable of playing multiple positions. Her size and shooting ability add a different dimension compared to Carter’s backcourt scoring.
3. Long-Term Planning
The Aces may have viewed Pissott as a player with long-term upside while already having multiple experienced guards on the roster.
Despite the surprise surrounding the transaction, roster management is a constant challenge in the WNBA due to the league’s small active rosters.
Chennedy Carter’s 2026 Performance
Before being waived, Carter showed she could still produce offensively whenever given minutes.
Reports indicate she averaged:
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Around 12.2 points per game
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1.8 rebounds
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Nearly 17 minutes per game
Those numbers demonstrate that her scoring ability remains one of her greatest strengths.
Throughout her career, Carter has consistently shown she can attack defenses, finish at the rim, and create her own shot.
Who Is Justine Pissott?
Justine Pissott is one of the promising young forwards entering the WNBA.
She played college basketball at:
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Tennessee
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Vanderbilt
Following her college career, she was selected with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She initially joined Indiana on a Player Development Contract before eventually signing a rest-of-season contract with the Las Vegas Aces.
Pissott is known for:
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Strong perimeter shooting
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Floor spacing
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Defensive versatility
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High basketball IQ
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Ability to play multiple forward positions
Her versatility likely appealed to Las Vegas as they continue chasing another championship.
Why Justine Pissott Fits the Aces
Las Vegas has built its success around versatility.
Adding Pissott provides:
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Better size on the wing
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Additional rebounding
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Floor spacing
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Youth and development potential
The coaching staff may believe her skill set complements stars already on the roster better than another scoring guard.
While Carter creates offense with the ball in her hands, Pissott contributes without needing many touches.
Fan Reaction to Carter’s Release
The announcement immediately sparked discussion among WNBA fans.
Many supporters questioned why a player averaging double figures would be released.
Others understood the move from a roster-building perspective, pointing out that championship teams sometimes prioritize positional balance over individual statistics.
Basketball analysts also noted Carter’s undeniable talent while acknowledging that roster decisions often involve factors beyond scoring numbers.
What’s Next for Chennedy Carter?
Although being waived is disappointing, Carter is unlikely to remain unemployed for long.
Several reasons make her an attractive option:
Proven Scorer
Few available guards possess Carter’s ability to score off the dribble.
Experience
She has already played meaningful WNBA minutes and understands professional basketball.
Offensive Spark
Teams needing bench scoring could immediately benefit from adding Carter.
Because waivers allow other franchises to claim players, another opportunity may arrive quickly.
What This Means for the Las Vegas Aces
The Aces continue focusing on championship contention.
Their roster already includes elite talent, and management clearly believes that improving depth at forward gives them a better chance during the second half of the season.
Adding Justine Pissott isn’t necessarily a criticism of Carter’s performance. Instead, it reflects how difficult roster decisions become for title contenders.
The organization hopes Pissott’s combination of size, shooting, and versatility will strengthen the rotation heading into the playoffs.
Carter’s Career Isn’t Over
One thing remains clear: Chennedy Carter has enough talent to continue playing in the WNBA.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated:
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Elite athleticism
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Dynamic scoring
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Ability to create offense
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Confidence in big moments
If another franchise needs offensive firepower, Carter could quickly find herself back on a WNBA roster.
Sometimes a change of scenery helps talented players rediscover their best basketball.
Final Thoughts
The Las Vegas Aces’ decision to waive Chennedy Carter and sign Justine Pissott represents one of the most talked-about roster moves of the 2026 WNBA season. Carter leaves after showing she can still score efficiently, while Pissott arrives as a promising rookie with size, versatility, and long-term potential.
For the Aces, the move appears to be about roster construction rather than talent alone. Championship teams must constantly balance experience, youth, positional needs, and future development.
Meanwhile, Chennedy Carter’s story is far from finished. Given her proven scoring ability and experience, she should attract interest from teams looking to strengthen their backcourt. As the 2026 WNBA season continues, fans will be watching closely to see where Carter lands next and whether Pissott can seize her opportunity with one of the league’s premier franchises.
