Sun waive Van Lith to accommodate Lacan return
Connecticut Sun have cleared space for French international Leïla Lacan, leaving Hailey Van Lith seeking a new club amid structural constraints and performance concerns.
The Connecticut Sun have waived guard Hailey Van Lith to create roster space for the return of French international Leïla Lacan. Van Lith, the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was waived for the second time this month after previously being released by the Chicago Sky. She is now seeking a new team, with potential options including developmental roster spots or hardship contracts.
Lacan, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, recently concluded her overseas commitments with Basket Landes, which she led to a championship in her native France. Her return is viewed as a major boost for the Sun, who are currently the worst team in the league with a 1-8 record and a minus-17.6 net rating. Historical data indicates the Sun had a minus-0.5 net rating in 665 minutes with Lacan on the floor, compared to a minus-18.1 net rating in 500 minutes without her.
Van Lith averaged 11.2 points and 3.2 assists on 57.5% shooting in her first five games with the Sun, but her production dropped significantly in her last four games (4.3 points, 33.3% shooting). Ten of Van Lith's 30 baskets with the Sun came during 'garbage time' when the team was down double digits in the fourth quarter. She is reportedly "grateful to the Sun for their transparency and the opportunity," per ESPN.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams are required to use all 12 roster spots, limiting open spots. The Atlanta Dream, Sun, Las Vegas Aces, Portland Fire, and Toronto Tempo are the only teams with developmental spots open, though this can change quickly. The Washington Mystics may be interested in Van Lith due to a lack of good guard play this season, but would need to make a corresponding move to open space.
The move marks the end of Van Lith’s stint with Connecticut, where she had previously been waived by the Chicago Sky, the team that originally selected her. With her second waiver this month, Van Lith faces an uncertain path forward, potentially relying on developmental roster spots or hardship contracts as she seeks to continue her career in the league.
