LOS ANGELES — The Sparks now have two of the top four picks in April’s WNBA draft after trading for former All-Star guard Kia Nurse and the No. 4 overall pick from the Seattle Storm in exchange for the Sparks’ 2026 first-round pick, the team announced Wednesday.
“Being able to add a player with Kia’s skillset and experience will fill a big role for us this season and I look forward to seeing her impact,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in a statement. “Adding a second lottery pick also assures another significant addition to our roster in 2024. We’re thrilled about both and what they will be able to accomplish here in Los Angeles.”
It was the Sparks’ second offseason move before free agents can sign new contracts Thursday. The team’s first move was designating point guard Jordin Canada as a core player, which gives the team exclusive negotiating rights for a free-agent contract or the ability to trade Canada for compensation, instead of her leaving the team as an unrestricted free agent.
Meanwhile, the trade with Seattle gives the Sparks three first-round picks in the upcoming draft: No. 2 (the Sparks’ pick), No. 4 (from Seattle) and No. 12 (acquired from Las Vegas in the Dearica Hamby trade). The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 15, which will take place about a week after the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland.
The Sparks will use those two lottery picks in hopes of finding a foundational talent who could one day replace Nneka Ogwumike, who recently announced she was leaving the Sparks via free agency.
LA, I hope it’s not goodbye, but ‘see you later’. pic.twitter.com/kalKHp4k3o
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) January 25, 2024
The Sparks, who finished 17-23 last season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, will take on Nurse’s salary, (a one-year protected contract, according to Her Hoop Stats) which opens up salary-cap space for Seattle.
Nurse was drafted by the New York Liberty…
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