r/LASparks • u/po1ar_opposite • Aug 21 '26
Discussion Looking forward!
Ok, now that we are out of playoff contention let’s talk about what should happen next. I had AI put together this list of players, salaries and contract durations (so I don’t vouch for its accuracy).
My first thought is get Rae a contract, probably $650k or so?
Next years starting lineup?
Monique
Atkin/Wheeler (tossup to me)
Rae
Dearica
Cam
I’m really excited about Monique, Rae and Cam leading us into the next few years. I think D can be the vet that guides them.
Who would we like to see as GM?
I’d LOVE Nneka, and I think it would be great to have her as GM, but not sure what her future plans are.
Who would we like to see as coach?
I honestly don’t have anyone in mind. Are there any former players?
What else would we like to see happen?
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u/Gold-and-green Aug 21 '26
They need to try their hardest to get rid of that Hamby contract
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
I’m not sure who would want her at this point, it is clear that her career is on the decline this season. A 6’2” forward who doesn’t move well or play much defense isn’t on anyone’s wishlist this year. Especially as the young talent keeps getting taller.
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u/Fun-Tea5786 Aug 21 '26
Nneka already announced retirement. I think they need to really shake things up again, a lot of talent but it’s not clicking. I would like to see Hamby freed from this organization lol
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u/supermarketsweepbob Aug 21 '26
Rae needs to stay. This is why I became a Sparks fan. My Tennessee Gal. And was even more pissed when Jackson was traded.
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
She had a great breakout year. I fell in love with her in Unrivalled and while it sucked that KP got hurt it opened up a huge opportunity for Rae and she stepped up big!
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u/mesonome Aug 21 '26
Rae will land around 800k (what I’d want as her agent). Also excited about Monique/Rae/Cam together. I do think they have a better shot at trading Dearica to open up some salary cap. She’s still playing well enough that other teams will be interested (though her numbers this year have started to show signs that she may have peaked)(I was a big Dearica fan last year). Atkins will be a tough sell (would you take her given performance this year?). I’m hoping if they mover her position and bring her off the bench her numbers would improve. Management really drove us into a ditch!!
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
I think the CBA created a frenzy where a lot of teams got a little overzealous with the high salaries they were giving out. The only way teams can compete is to do a correction on the next contracts. In reality only the very top players should be getting top salaries. I’m thinking like, the All-Star type players being the few who get max and near max contracts, otherwise you end up with teams like the Sparks and Wings who are stuck with high salaries of players who aren’t even the top players on their teams, and then don’t have cap space to fill out a competitive roster with the money left over.
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u/Ok_Brick_793 Aug 21 '26
How could OP not know about Nneka's retirement? 🤔
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
I worded it wrong, I’d love to see her as GM. I edited the post to make that more clear.
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u/Dazzling_Cat5655 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
First order of business is to get out of Hamby and Atkins’s contracts. Neither player has produced enough to be paid that much. I love Hamby but this team has not made it to the playoffs since she joined. And Atkins may be the worst contract in the league, because of her performance. Problem is, no other team would ever take on either on of those contracts
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u/greenteawoods Aug 21 '26
at least one of Wheeler/Atkins/Hamby has to go. ideally Atkins but I could see Wheeler being easier because it's 1 year left on it and not 1M+ for 2 years. I don't know what team would want either player but they have to make it work somehow lol. I go back and forth on if they would trade D but now that Nneka is retiring I think it's less likely. also think cannon has to go. I want Rae to stay but I think it's more likely she leaves because of how her last contract negotiation went. the other young players (other than cam and monique) I'm fine with them fighting it out in training camp for a roster spot.
for the coach, I would like a former W player w/ coaching experience but I don't really have anyone in mind. I mostly just want someone who can connect more with the players. it doesn't seem like any of them really care for Roberts which I don't really blame them for at this point. I thought about if one of the assistant coaches could be promoted to head coach but I'm kind of done with the entire coaching staff. hopefully with a new coach and system, some of these remaining players can actually thrive instead of regress/stagnate more.
for the GM, I just want them to not be cheap and get someone who has actually been around winning or even decent basketball at this point. the fact that the sparks hired pebley with her resume is out of control. also don't want the interim GMs to become permanent. I could also see them hiring from the nba but idk.
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u/Maleficent-Bread1929 Aug 21 '26
This team will struggle as long as the top two are on payroll.
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
Yeah, Atkins is killing us. The lack of Rickea is killing us. Can you imagine the next few years if we had Monique, Rickea, Rae, Hamby, and Cam? I gotta stop looking backward, it’s too painful 😓 looking forward!
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u/LLUrDadsFave Aug 21 '26
Lottery bound for as long as Hamby and Atkins are our highest paid players.
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u/Due_Quote_3023 Aug 21 '26
The answer is pray that they get either the 1st or 2nd pick.
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u/po1ar_opposite Aug 21 '26
I hear you, and we all want that, but that’s not something that can be controlled. What are things that the Sparks as an organization can control?
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u/nelsonreddwall Aug 22 '26
Rae might take a chance and test FA. She’s showing a lot of potential and I’m sure she wants to be #1 option somewhere.
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u/Important_Rooster263 Aug 21 '26
I have a feeling someone is going to offer Rae a lot more than the Sparks can match given they’re stuck with the Wheeler/ Atkins/ Hamby contracts. Rae deserves her bag but it really sucks to think of losing her.