2023-24 WNBA Offseason Guides: Los Angeles Sparks
Our WNBA offseason guides continue with the final team eliminated from playoff contention, the Los Angeles Sparks
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Previously published 2023-24 Offseason Guides:
Seattle Storm
Phoenix Mercury
Indiana Fever
2023 record: 16-23 when eliminated, 17-23 at end of the season
2024 draft picks: They have their own lottery pick, with third-best odds in the draw, plus an extra first-rounder from Las Vegas via the Dearica Hamby trade - which will be No. 12 overall. Their second-rounder is going to Las Vegas as part of that same trade, so their only other current 2024 pick is their third-rounder at No. 28.
Free agents: Nneka Ogwumike (uncoreable unrestricted free agent), Jasmine Thomas (uncoreable unrestricted free agent), Katie Lou Samuelson (UFA), Chiney Ogwumike (UFA), Layshia Clarendon (UFA), Jordin Canada (UFA), Karlie Samuelson (UFA)
Under contract: Azurá Stevens, Dearica Hamby, Stephanie Talbot, Lexie Brown, Nia Clouden, Zia Cooke
2023 performance: With the start of a new era under general manager Karen Bryant and head coach Curt Miller getting underway, 2023 was always likely to be something of a rebuilding year for Los Angeles.. This was about banishing some of the ugly memories from the Derek Fisher years - especially last year when his gambles on Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter definitely did not work out - and looking to the future. On that front it's essentially been mission accomplished, but they were hoping the path might be a little less rocky. Various injuries and absences, starting with Katie Lou Samuelson's pregnancy and Stephanie Talbot's torn ACL from before the games even began, disrupted the season throughout. Lexie Brown looked like she was started on a breakout year, before a non-Covid illness that never cleared up destroyed her season. Nneka Ogwumike was impressive all year and put up some great numbers, only to miss a crucial stretch of games in the final weeks when LA were trying to sneak into the playoffs. Layshia Clarendon's absence for over a month due to a midseason injury put a real dent in their toughness and defense. Chiney Ogwumike missed most of the year injured yet again. Making the positive strides they did despite all those issues can be seen as a positive, and they're left with a chance to get lucky in the lottery. If the balls fall their way, it'll be much more useful for their future than a couple of postseason games against the Aces.
On the positive side the atmosphere definitely changed, and the breakout season from Jordin Canada - finally adding a genuine jump shot to her arsenal - was particularly pleasing. Azurá Stevens had a shaky start, partially due to her own health issues, but once LA recognised that she needed to play the 4, she more frequently looked like the player they hoped they were signing in free agency. And Nneka just continues to be Nneka, game in and game out.
Offseason finances: The Sparks currently have six players under contract for next season, although that includes Talbot, Brown and Clouden, who played a combined 17 games between them this year. So there are a whole lot of question marks. If they were to keep those six and add their lottery pick, they would have $683,264 left in cap space for the remaining four or five spots on the roster. On an 11-player roster, that's almost enough to give three players the max. That’s good, because you have to imagine that both Canada and Nneka Ogwumike are going to cost plenty to re-sign, even before considering other players they might like to bring back - Clarendon, Chiney Ogwumike, assorted Samuelsons - or shop for in free agency. So they have lots of space, but maybe not as much as it might appear at first glance. Unless someone like Nneka is going to take a major discount (which might not be the best look for the president of the Players Association, who already played for sub-max money this year), we're probably talking about one major addition at most once they take care of Nneka and Canada. Assuming neither of them walks away.
Offseason priorities: Having laid the groundwork for the rebuild this year, the first items on the list probably will be to re-sign Nneka and Canada. Both have long-standing ties to California and seem happy with the franchise, but it could still be expensive. Canada's development this year as a shooter has made her significantly more valuable, which will likely also make her significantly more expensive than the vet minimum they got her for this year. If they both agree to return, then the most likely areas to target for the roster will be the wing. They'd have their floor leader (Canada) and their bigs (Nneka, Stevens, Hamby) - although they'll happily find room if a Caitlin Clark or Cameron Brink fall in their laps via the draft - so it'd primarily be time to once again go looking for scoring and overall production from the perimeter. They can't necessarily count on what they'll get from Brown or Talbot, or Katie Lou Samuelson if they offer her another deal, so they'll be another team checking out the market for free agent 2s and 3s. Or possibly seeing what that lottery pick can bring back in a trade, if necessary. The perimeter free agent options have shrunk in recent days after the likes of Jewell Loyd, Kahleah Copper and Betnijah Laney signed extensions, so the Sparks may have to be a bit more creative than anticipated, or shop a little further down the tiers.
They'll also be hoping for basic improvement from better health next year, although that can never be considered a certainty. Also, Nneka turned 33 recently - even assuming she re-signs, they can't take for granted that she's going to keep producing these seasons indefinitely.
Future assets: The Sparks drafted Australian guard Shaneice Swain early in the second round this year, who's still only 19 and getting significant experience in their domestic leagues. We may well see her in the US next year. They haven't gained or given up any 2025 draft picks yet.
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