Aces' Kaitlyn Chen trade update makes sense in Valkyries deal

Kaitlyn Chen has been hooping lately.

The problem is that she doesn't have a path to a starting role with the Golden State Valkyries. She's been impressive off the bench, but that's all she's able to do right now.

A trade, to the right team, could free her up to shine even brighter.

USA Today's Mitchell Northam wrote in a new article on Tuesday that the right match for Chen might be the Las Vegas Aces.

The Valkyries would have to be willing to deal Chen, of course, but if they were open to it, it'd be worth considering for the Aces.

"With Dana Evans battling injuries and the Chennedy Carter experiment flaming out, the Aces could use another playmaking guard off the bench," Northam writes. "Chen might fit the bill here. She’s playing 14.7 minutes per game for the Valkyries, but ranks 10th in the league in field-goal percentage with a 57.5% mark. Her effective field-goal percentage is 62.7%, which is fifth-best in the WNBA this season. Chen could provide the punch the Aces need off the bench."

The Aces got good production out of the aforementioned Carter early in the season before she flamed out. They're clearly a better team with some guard firepower in reserve.

It'd also be an environment where Chen could improve quickly by learning from the Aces' veteran guards.

She's a surprisingly strong finisher near the basket for a player of her size, and it's no fluke.

If Golden State starts getting calls on Chen, it'll have to decide whether she's available or whether they want to hold her for the long haul to eventually move her into a bigger role.

The Aces will certainly be hoping Chen becomes available to them.

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