Aces Lose Gustafson to Expansion Portland Fire in WNBA Free Agency Shakeup

The Las Vegas Aces suffer a key departure as center Megan Gustafson signs with the new Portland Fire franchise.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:39am by

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the team colors of the Aces and Fire.The WNBA's free agency period has seen a major shift, with the Las Vegas Aces losing a key player to an expansion team and facing tough decisions on their roster's future.Portland Today

The WNBA free agency period has kicked off with a major move, as center Megan Gustafson has decided to leave the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and join the expansion Portland Fire. Gustafson was a key contributor to the Aces' 2025 title run, and her departure represents a significant loss for the team as they look to defend their championship.

Why it matters

Gustafson's presence on the court and her ability to create opportunities for her teammates were invaluable to the Aces' success. Her departure is a blow to the team's chances of repeating as champions, as they now must find a way to replace her production and leadership.

The details

In three seasons with the Aces, Gustafson averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, playing a crucial role off the bench. Her decision to join the expansion Fire, a team looking to make a splash in their inaugural season, has sparked discussions within the WNBA community about the impact of free agency and the league's competitive balance.

  • Gustafson signed with the Portland Fire on April 12, 2026, the first day of the WNBA free agency period.
  • The Aces won the WNBA championship in 2025, Gustafson's third season with the team.

The players

Megan Gustafson

A 6'3" center who spent the first three seasons of her WNBA career with the Las Vegas Aces, helping the team win the 2025 championship.

Las Vegas Aces

The defending WNBA champions, who have now lost a key contributor in Gustafson to the expansion Portland Fire.

Portland Fire

The WNBA's newest expansion team, who have made a splash in free agency by signing Gustafson to bolster their roster for their inaugural season.

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What they’re saying

“Megan's departure is a significant loss for our team, but we respect her decision and wish her the best of luck with the Portland Fire.”

— Bill Laimbeer, Head Coach, Las Vegas Aces

“I'm excited to join the Portland Fire and be a part of building something special from the ground up. This is a great opportunity for me to take on a bigger role and help shape the future of the franchise.”

— Megan Gustafson

What’s next

The Aces will need to quickly identify and sign a replacement for Gustafson in order to maintain their championship-caliber roster. The team's draft strategy and potential free agent signings will be closely watched as they look to defend their title.

The takeaway

Gustafson's departure from the Aces highlights the dynamic nature of the WNBA free agency period, where even the defending champions can suffer significant losses. The Aces' ability to adapt and rebuild their roster will be crucial in determining their chances of repeating as champions.