(Photo : (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)) AS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 27: Lexie Brown #4 of the Los Angeles Sparks takes the ball upcourt through the first quarter of a recreation towards the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 27, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement
It’s a brand new period for the Sparks in Los Angeles.
After an offseason filled with adjustments, the Sparks need to return to their profitable methods, kicking off a rebuild with two excessive WNBA draft picks.
It’s no secret that the group that after gained three WNBA Championships has struggled to make waves within the league since Candace Parker left in 2021. Since then they’ve missed the playoffs for the previous three seasons.
The Sparks are coming off a season by which they had been only one recreation out of eighth place for the ultimate playoff spot, ending the yr with a file of 17-23.
The franchise now seems to kick off a brand new period after a powerful draft underneath Curt Miller’s second yr with the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Los Angeles Sparks Offseason
It was an offseason filled with ups and downs for the Sparks.
LA managed to commerce for level guard Kia Nurse and the 4th general decide on this yr’s WNBA draft, one by which they used to take Rickea Jackson out of Tennessee.
In that very same draft, the Sparks used their No.2 general decide to take Stanford standout heart Cameron Brink, and so they additionally received a steal within the draft, taking McKenzie Forbes out of USC.
However, the draw back is that the Sparks shall be with out their star participant, Nneka Ogwumike, who signed with the Seattle Storm through the offseason.
Ogwumike spent 12 seasons with the Sparks, profitable a championship as a part of the 2016 squad alongside Candace Parker.
Her absence shall be felt in Los Angeles as she was one of many solely leftovers.
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Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in LA
The Los Angeles Sparks have proven that they now have the expertise to win, however might have some extra time to assist acclimate two, hopefully, younger franchise cornerstones.
For that purpose, it is anticipated that the Sparks will take a step again this season after practically making the playoffs.
The objective ought to be the event of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, who each have massive footwear to fill this season with out Nneka Ogwumike.
Brink is already an elite shot blocker and rebounder with an incredible contact across the rim; probably rising into an inside drive for the LA Sparks.
Jackson has confirmed to be an elite scorer throughout her time in Tennessee and will seemingly be the Sparks’ main supply of offense down the road.
The Los Angeles Sparks even have an incredible combination of veterans and position gamers in girls like Lexie Brown and Dearica Hamby, who ought to assist make life simpler within the WNBA for his or her new proficient rookies.
The Kia Nurse commerce ought to show to be one of many higher strikes finished by a group this offseason because the Canadian product is a veteran level guard and a confirmed All-Star, who ought to assist significantly within the growth of their two younger stars.
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