The Las Vegas Aces came from ‘probable champion’ status to ‘dominant side in the WNBA’ in the 2025 season. Even though A’ja Wilson’s record-breaking Finals MVP led the Aces to the 2025 WNBA title sweep over the Phoenix Mercury, it was Becky Hammon’s masterclass that guided the side to incredible triumph.
Analyst Stephen A. Smith acknowledged the fact and even made a bold statement for the Aces’ head coach. Talking on his podcast, Smith praised Hammon for her understanding of the game.
Stephen A. Smith Wants Becky Hammon To Coach An NBA Team
The former San Antonio Spurs’ assistant coach joined the WNBA team in 2021, and in her five seasons with the team, she delivered three WNBA championships and a Commissioner’s Cup title. The 2022 WNBA Coach of the Year has a strong 10-1 playoff record, winning 30 games out of 37 played.
Such dominance needs a coach with a winning mentality and a team that can deliver on the floor. While many other WNBA sides also had deep and talented rosters, Hammon’s outperformed them behind the 48-year-old coach’s game plans. Impressed by her stint at the WNBA, analyst Stephen A. Smith calls out NBA team owners to get her in the league.
“I’ve said this on many occasions, and I’ll say this again. She deserves to coach in the NBA. If a man can coach in the WNBA, she needs…If I owned an NBA team, I would not mind giving her a chance as the head coach of my franchise. Cuz that woman knows what she is doing. I’m talking about Becky Hammon doing what she did in the NBA level as an assistant coach and coaching the Summer League team for the men to a title before she took the Las Vegas Aces job. She has been a staple in basketball, period,” SAS explained.
If I were a NBA owner, I’d hire Becky Hammon as head coach pic.twitter.com/uPVxLlB3Wa
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 11, 2025
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The NBA is not new to the American-Russian coach who worked with legendary Gregg Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs from 2014 to 2021. She also led the Spurs’ team to the Summer League title. Additionally, having her in the NBA would be an excellent opportunity for the talented coach, but she already mentioned that she is super happy at the current role, where she set a record as the first female coach to earn over $ 1 million as a coach.
Becky Hammon Not Ready To Accept Dynasty Title
Winning her third title in four years with the team is an excellent accomplishment. Even Hammon delivered an emotional speech during the post-game interview, lauding the team’s bonding and accomplishment. While many started calling the side a dynasty in the WNBA, the HC remained grounded and highlighted the possible shift of power in the league.
“These [modern] players are bigger, stronger, faster, and more skilled than it was just 10 years ago. So I think those guys who laid the groundwork showed how winning should be done… but the skill set, and the level that these guys are at, to me, it’s not comparable. You have rookies coming in like Paige [Bueckers], and Caitlin [Clark], and Angel [Reese], and they’re ready, now, to compete. And so I just think the quality from top to bottom… These guys have elite skill set,” Hammon said.
While her analysis is spot on, it also highlights her overall understanding and eye for the upcoming changes. Though the Aces won’t be willing to let go of their prized asset, working in the NBA is undoubtedly a very intriguing option.