Revitalizing the Sparks » Winsidr

There are only a few weeks left before the 2025 WNBA regular season commences. The Los Angeles Sparks are a team that looks forward to starting a new season under some new organizational changes, as they put the previous season behind them.

The 2024 season was a rough one for the Sparks. The team finished with the worst record in the league at 8-32. The Sparks finished 10th in the league in rebounds per game (32.7 RPG), assists per game (19.7 APG), and three-point shooting percentage (32.0 percent). In addition, the team averaged the second-most turnovers per game (16.0) and the least amount of blocks per game (3.2 BPG).

The Sparks had two separate eight-game losing streaks, and a seven-game losing streak; they only won back-to-back games once.

The Sparks struggled to win games, and were decimated due to health problems for a number of players. Layshia Clarendon only played 21 games, Azurá Stevens played 20 games, Lexie Brown played 16 games, and Cameron Brink played 15 games.

So, whether it was a lack of rebounding, perimeter shooting, or availability, it was a year where things did not click together for Los Angeles.

Now, enter this offseason. The Sparks’ departures include Clarendon, Brown, Kia Nurse, Li Yueru, Zia Cooke, and the second overall pick in the 2025 draft. The team also mutually parted ways with head coach Curt Miller, who now serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Dallas Wings.

As far as additions go, the organization brought in Lynne Roberts, who previously served as the head coach for the Utah women’s college basketball team, to become the Sparks’ new head coach. The Sparks signed Mercedes Russell from the Seattle Storm, Shaneice Swain (one of their 2023 draft picks) after she played in the WNBL, and acquired the ninth overall pick in this upcoming draft.

And, most notably, they acquired a multiple-time All-Star in Kelsey Plum after she spent eight years with the Las Vegas Aces franchise.

With the new look the Sparks have entering the 2025 season, there are some positives from last season that the team can build off of moving forward.

The team received great production from their two star rookies, Brink and Rickea Jackson, when they were on the court. Jackson averaged 13.4 points per game (PPG), 3.9 RPG, and 1.5 APG. Meanwhile, Brink averaged 7.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.3 BPG before her rookie season was cut short due to a torn ACL in her left knee. Both players were living up to expectations as two lottery picks.

Also, Dearica Hamby became an All-Star again (for the first time with the Sparks), as she put together the best season of her career. Hamby averaged 17.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 3.5 APG in 2024, and finished second in voting for the league’s Most Improved Player of the Year award.

However, Hamby and Jackson were the only players on the Sparks to average double digits in scoring last season. The scoring pressure fell on their shoulders for a majority of the season, and this highlighted a need for some balance with their scoring, along with more scoring prowess from the guard position.

With the experience she gained after a season in the WNBA, Brink can help provide that balance upon her return. She will also help with rebounding and rim protection. In the 15 games before Brink’s injury, the team averaged 33.7 RPG (tied for eighth in the league) and 3.5 BPG (tied for ninth in the league). But, for the remaining 25 games after her injury, the team averaged 32.0 RPG (10th in the league) and 3.1 BPG (last in the league).

The team can now also look to Plum as an option to score from anywhere on the court. Last season, Plum averaged 17.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, and 2.6 RPG in Las Vegas. Roberts, who had the opportunity to coach against Plum in college basketball when they were at Utah and Washington respectively, knows first-hand what Plum is capable of as a scoring threat.

Other key players on the roster include Odyssey Sims, who signed a one-year deal to stay with the Sparks. Last season, Sims was a bright spot and a spark during her time with the Wings and Sparks. In her 24 games played between the two teams, Sims averaged 12.6 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 2.1 RPG (9.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.7 RPG in 15 games with the Sparks).

Also, Rae Burrell has shown improvement with more time on the court and has done so year after year: 1.7 PPG in three games in 2022, 3.6 PPG in 29 games in 2023, and 5.9 PPG in 37 games last season. This could be a season where she is in the discussion for Most Improved Player of the Year.

But, there are still some questions surrounding the Sparks. How will Roberts adapt to coaching in the WNBA? How much will Brink play when she returns from injury, and what will be the extent of her impact in the season following a significant injury?

Also, as the team holds the ninth overall pick in the draft, what direction will the Sparks go in if they decide to keep the pick and make a selection? From last year’s draft, they got a frontcourt player with All-Defensive Team potential in Brink and a versatile two-way forward in Jackson. So, maybe the Sparks go with a guard to join an ascending team and learn from veteran guards like Plum and Sims?

How will Plum acclimate to being on a new team that seeks to make a return to the playoffs, after being on a team that was at least in the championship picture conversation for the last few seasons?

In the WNBA, there are a lot of exciting and talented core groups of players, and the nucleus of Hamby, Jackson, Brink, and Plum is a strong one for the Sparks: one that features youth blended with seasoned experience. Los Angeles is primed to seriously compete for a playoff spot this season, and end a drought that has been rough for Sparks fans and the organization.

Since the departure of Candace Parker, the Sparks have not made the postseason since 2020. But now, with their offseason splash moves, the return of Sparks playoff basketball is an attainable goal.

Fans should be in for a treat watching the 2025 Los Angeles Sparks compete and get back to the championship expectations down in the City of Angels.

Stats as of March 31. Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of WNBA.com.