The same reason Candace Parker joined the Chicago Sky in 2021—to return home—she decided to depart the team.

The two-time WNBA champion and native of Naperville decided to sign as a free agent with the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.She listed her family as the main motivation for moving back to the West Coast in an Instagram post.

The 36-year-old Parker stated, “My family is my reason and my purpose.” They continue to show me new depths of love and dedication that I never knew existed, and they have brought me the greatest joys I have ever known. Although my heart will always be in Chicago, my family is from the west coast.

As free agents become available for signing starting on Wednesday, Parker will ink a one-year deal with the Aces, per ESPN.

Parker completed the last puzzle piece in a championship-chasing team with players Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, and Kahleah Copper when she returned to her hometown of Chicago in 2021 after playing for the Los Angeles Sparks for the first 13 seasons of her career. Parker came back to secure a franchise-record 26 wins in 2022, following his unexpected 16-16 squad to WNBA glory in 2021.

Parker’s performances to the delight of her local crowd earned her two seasons with the Sky back-to-back All-Star selections. She has won two WNBA MVP awards and is a seven-time All-Star.

Parker remarked, “I decided to go home and be with my family in the place where it all began when I decided to travel to Chicago in 2021.” “I am incredibly appreciative of the chance to win a championship in my hometown and march through the same streets where I first saw the Bulls march when I was a young girl and fell in love with basketball.”

Parker made sacrifices on her way home, even though she met her ultimate aim in Chicago. Lailaa, her 13-year-old daughter, and Airr, her 1-year-old son, live full-time in Los Angeles with their former Russian player wife, Anna Petrakova. This autumn, Lailaa will begin high school in California, marking a significant milestone that Parker stated she couldn’t let herself miss.

Parker attributed her decision to sign with the Aces to the distance as well as her determination not to miss her daughter’s volleyball matches, school dances, and other priceless occasions.

Parker will join an under-review Aces club after the WNBA Players Association opened an investigation into the team over discrimination claims made by former forward Dearica Hamby.

Hammery said on Instagram that she had been the victim of bullying, intimidation, and discrimination by Aces front office and coaching staff after her second pregnancy, following her trade to the Sparks last week.

“Trading is an inherent aspect of the business,” stated Hamby. “Liars, bullies, manipulators, and discriminators are not. People have insulted my work ethic and character. I’ve experienced trauma from the unethical and unprofessional treatment I’ve received. It is disheartening and sickening to be treated in this manner by a group led by mothers who have professed to “be in these shoes,” promote family, chemistry, and women’s empowerment.

“We battled for laws that would at last assist and safeguard player parents. I can’t use this against me anymore.

The day following Hamby’s article, Parker met with the Aces, per a report from the Chicago Sun-Times.

The largest contract Parker could sign with the Aces would be slightly more than $183,000. However, specifics of the deal are unknown. In order to clear more salary-cap room, the Aces would have to deal a bench player. Parker has additional revenue from her broadcasting work with TNT and endorsement deals with Adidas in addition to her WNBA salary, which may have contributed to her decision to accept the lower pay.

After their most successful season to date, the Sky now face a difficult free-agency summer that might completely deplete their lineup. Longtime captain Courtney Vandersloot is a free agent and has ties to the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty. As Allie Quigley, her wife and co-captain, decided not to play overseas during the WNBA offseason for the first time in her career, there have been rumors that she is considering retirement.

The Sky are also unsure about the future of center Emma Meesseman and backup guard Julie Allemand, although versatile stretch big Azurá Stevens is still drawing interest from teams throughout the league. Parker’s departure creates a huge void in the frontcourt, therefore the Sky must negotiate with Stevens as soon as possible.

James Wade, the general manager and coach of Sky, stated in a statement, “Candace has done so much for our franchise in her time here.” “I can see why she would like to spend more time with her immediate relatives. We hope for the best for her. She is and always will be a member of the Sky clan. We shall honor her time here as it is rightfully hers.

Parker’s two years were for Chicago the conclusion of a campaign spanning decades to establish a presence in the WN.