Since the beginning of 2023, the Sparks have made huge moves to reconstruct the font office of the team.
In the last couple of months, the Sparks have made moves to better equip the roster for the 2024 season.
There are three players the Sparks let walk in free agency, including Katie Lou Samuelson, Karlie Samuelson, and former MVP Nneka Ogwumike
Katie Lou Samuelson averaged 9.7 points per game in 2022 but missed all the 2023 season due to her pregnancy. After two seasons, Samuelson decided to sign with the Indiana Fever.
Katie’s sister, Karlie Samuelson, is leaving in free agency as well. After only one season with the Sparks, Karlie Samuelson left to play for the Washington Mystics.
The most notable loss the Sparks had in free agency was Nneka Ogwumike. Ogwumike had great success with the Sparks as she led them to the 2016 WNBA Championship. However, after 12 seasons with the team, Ogwumike became a Seattle Storm.
Despite losing these players, the Sparks were able to sign veteran players in free agency. Layshia Clarendon and Monique Billings were the highlights of the Sparks signings.
The resigning of Layshia Clarendon, was vital for the Sparks. Clarendon provides efficient shooting as she was 91.5% on free throws and 45% on three pointers.
The Sparks also obtained Monique Billings from the Atlanta Dream. Billings was primarily a bench player and could provide depth at the power forward position for the Sparks.
The other moves the Sparks made came from three major trades with the Seattle Storm,
Atlanta Dream, and Chicago Sky.
In the trade with the Storm, the Sparks received guard Kia Nurse and a 2024 1st round draft pick. In exchange, the Storm received a 2026 1st round draft pick.
Los Angeles received Aari McDonald and the 8th overall pick from Atlanta. While the Sparks gave away Jordin Canada and the 12th overall pick to the Dream.
The largest haul the Sparks obtained was from the trade with the Sky. Los Angeles acquired Julie Allemand, Li Yuera, and a 2024 3rd round draft pick. The Sky were able to attain the 1st round pick that the Sparks received from the trade with Atlanta.
The Sparks were very active in the first two months of the year to make changes to their roster. The season is three months away as it will be intriguing to see if there are any more moves for the Sparks to make.
