Contrary to popular belief, the Las Vegas Aces haven’t been without a general manager throughout WNBA free agency.

The job title has quietly been assumed by Nikki Fargas, who has been the three-time league champions’ president since May 2021.

Fargas’ relabeling comes after the Aces parted ways with former general manager Natalie Williams in October 2024 and hadn’t formally announced a replacement.

As Fargas addressed reporters at the Aces’ headquarters in Henderson following the WNBA draft on Monday, she was asked how the team has navigated yet another season without a general manager.

“You’re looking at the GM,” Fargas answered.

Based on a review of official correspondence from the Aces, it appears that she was first referenced as “president and general manager” on Feb. 24.

Fargas told the Review-Journal a month after Williams’ ouster that the front office was exploring multiple options in its restructuring. At media day ahead of the last season in May 2025, Fargas said the team was not involved in a search for a general manager. On the same day, Aces coach Becky Hammon didn’t correct a reporter that referred to her as the general manager.

“(Fargas) does all the stuff I don’t want to do, which is, like, jump on phone calls, talk to all these people. I’m a basketball person. Keep me in my lane,” Hammon said. “We were definitely a good tag team in that aspect (this offseason).”

When asked on multiple occasions since, Aces brass never indicated an interest in making any adjustments.

How has the front office structure changed?

Essentially, the organizational structure of the Aces front office has not changed.

“It’s just an added title. We’ve always been a collaborative front office,” Fargas said Monday. “I’ve got some really good coaches that go out and help in evaluating the talent.”

The Aces made a few coaching changes this offseason. They hired former Dallas Wings assistant Nola Henry in place of former assistant John Lucas III. The team also welcomed two former G League staffers, adding Matt Comer as lead performance coach and Micah Fraction as a player development coach last week.

Hammon’s title has not changed, but she remains a prominent voice.

“Coach Hammon is also heavily involved,” Fargas said. “We talk through every decision.”

A former head coach at LSU and UCLA, Fargas earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Tennessee as her playing career there ended in 1994.

“With my background, it just seemed a little bit natural for me to slide into (the general manager) responsibility,” Fargas said. “I’ve got an amazing front office staff that allows me to be able to do both. … I love that we collaborate in such a way that when we leave the conference room, we’re all on one page. We all understand what the expectations are going into the season, and then what we expect during free agency. And that’s just kind of how we’ve been this whole time.”

How does Fargas evaluate free agency moves thus far?

Fargas’ front office had to quickly adapt to an abbreviated and delayed free agency period due to marathon negotiations between the WNBA and the player’s union on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Although four-time MVP A’ja Wilson hasn’t officially re-signed, Fargas lauded the team’s ability to effectively retain its core (Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd) while adding new faces amid a period where nearly the entire league are free agents.

“They stayed in contact with each other. A’ja and Jackie were still communicating and talking with their teammates,” Fargas said.

The Aces’ only losses in free agency from last season were Megan Gustafson, Kiah Stokes and Aaliyah Nye. Everyone else who played in the team’s 2025 championship run will be back, and the team will introduce forwards Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner. The team did lose out on forward Gabby Williams, who reportedly considered the Aces but ultimately signed with the Valkyries.

“When you’re in this window, it’s really short. Do we wish that there was a longer time for people to make decisions? Of course we would, but this is a historical moment,” Fargas said.

“I think we’ve done a nice job of making sure we’re bringing the right pieces to the puzzle.”

Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Callie__Fin on X.