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Jun 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson (17) sits on the bench during the first quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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Jun 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson (17) sits on the bench during the first quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As much as they want to, the Las Vegas Aces can’t retain everyone. So far, they have retained Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Cheyyene Parker Tyus, with A’ja Wilson’s contract on the way. The Aces went on a dream run last season, all the way to their third championship in four years. So it is natural to try and continue with the same group. But with the new CBA offering a new financial reality, the Aces are bound to lose some of their pieces. The latest one being Megan Gustafson, who is now moving to Portland.
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“The Portland Fire has signed center Megan Gustafson,” the press release from the Fire said. “A 2025 WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces, Gustafson will wear #17 with Portland.” Gustafson came off the bench for the Aces last season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game.
Over her career, Gustafson has largely been a bench piece, with her peak coming at Phoenix in 2023 when she averaged 15.1 minutes a game while averaging 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. She will get a fresh start in Portland under Alex Sarama and is very likely to secure a starting spot. The Fire has only one other center in Luisa Geiselsoder and is in desperate need of size.
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They have the sixth pick in the draft and won’t be able to sign Lauren Betts, who is expected to go No. 4 to the Mystics. Gustafson gives them plenty of experience and she’s in great form too. At the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament this March, she was named in the All-Star five after leading her competition in scoring at 14.6 points per game and helping Spain clinch a berth in the 2026 World Cup.
“So excited to join the family! 🔥🌹😊” Gustafson wrote. However, it’s not only the starting potential that led Gustafson to Portland, as she has bagged a pretty heavy pay rise.
“Megan Gustafson is signing a two-year deal with the Portland Fire, per her agent @TichaPenicheiro at @PrioritySports. The deal is protected, $500k in Year 1 and $525k in Year 2,” wrote ESPN’s Alexa Phillippou. For context, Gustafson earned $96,820 in 2025 under the old CBA.
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FIBA Euroleague Women Olympiacos SFP vs Fenerbahce Opet FIBA EuroLeague Women, Olympiacos SFP vs Fenerbahce Opet – Megan Gustafson of Fenerbahce Opet in action during the FIBA Euroleague Women regular season basketball match between Olympiacos SFP and Fenerbahce Opet held at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, Grecee, 26 November 2025. PIRAEUS Greece Copyright: xOnexInchxProductionsx 1IN_3036
Even in the new one, it is likely that Aces couldn’t offer Gustafson that amount or anything close to it. This is especially true in light of the recent signings of Jewell Loyd to a $2.2 million, 3-year deal and Jackie Young to a $1.19 million, one-year deal. A’ja Wilson is expected to sign a $1.4 million supermax, and that is almost half of their salary cap right there.
On the other hand, Portland has only signed one player who is earning above a million. That is Bridget Carleton, who will earn almost $1.2 million in 2026. But beyond just the dry financials and the on-court dynamics, Megan Gustafson is the perfect signing for the Portland culture.
Portland Fire Declares Megan Gustafson As Their “Unofficial Corgi Mascot”
At this point, corgis are deeply rooted in the Portland culture. Everywhere you go, there are corgis hanging out. The city literally hosts a Corgi Walk in August that was started 18 years ago to raise money for injured, abused, abandoned, and/or neglected dogs, specifically Corgis. Teams like the Portland Timbers in the MLS have organized a Corgi Race at halftime to entertain the fans. Now, Megan Gustafson is the perfect addition to the culture.
“The Portland Fire now have an unofficial corgi mascot, which makes this the most perfectly Portland signing possible,” wrote a fan. That tweet was reposted by the team on its instagram with pictures of Gustafson with her beloved Corgi named “Pancake.” The team captioned the post by writing, “It was always ROSE City 🐾Let’s give Pancake Rose Gustafson a PDX welcome. 🥞👏”
Gustafson is the ultimate dog mom of the WNBA. She has her profile picture with Pancake and hosts her own instagram account, often posting pictures. “I love the contrast between myself being really tall and having a guard who is really short. I love that duo, and I’ve had that thought probably since high school,” Gustafson has said. She even wrote a children’s book titled, “Pancake’s Passport.” It is based on her and Pancake’s relationship. It seems like Megan and Portland are a match made in heaven.
