BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources tell me and

u/kendra__andrews.

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BREAKING: Lots of breaking news for the Los Angeles Sparks today.

Sparks have waived Kate Martin and Alissa Pili and were awarded Aaliyah Nye on waivers from the Atlanta Dream.

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Following Sparks practice today, Lynne Roberts confirmed Sania Feagin was waived this morning ahead of the anticipated addition of Kiana Williams who is currently in route to LA.

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BREAKING: Nneka Ogwumike has announced that she is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons.

🏀 2016 WNBA champion
🏀 2016 WNBA MVP
🏀 2012 Rookie of the Year
🏀 WNBA All-Rookie Team (2012)
🏀 11× WNBA All-Star
🏀 8x All-WNBA
🏀 7x WNBA All-Defensive
🏀 WNBA 25th Anniversary Team

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcOeMKmKUgB/?igsh=MW56MnBrZjA5bXNwOA==

via Marisa Ingemi/Bluesky

not shocked about this move. ownership really wants to lose a lot of the fans. 😔

Via Annie Costabile

From the LA Times:

The Sparks ownership group fired general manager Raegan Pebley in mid-July, seemingly changing direction near the deadline. Shortly after, Plum informed the team she wouldn’t return after her contract expired after this season.

“It’s also different when someone feels like they maybe want to fit somewhere else,” Ogwumike said. “I’ve been in situations where it was unexpected for everyone. It wasn’t so unexpected for us. We want her to be happy. We want her to be healthy, so I think that there’s a bit of comfort for everyone knowing that, and also being able to get it done in a way where I feel like everybody’s OK with it. It breathes a little bit of life into the situation.”

She goes on to say some vague things about how they're "not giving up on the season," which presumably goes without saying (why would they openly give up on the season?).

I don't want to read too much into a statement like this, but I wonder if she's implying that Plum thought LA was not a good place to stay healthy (due to coaching, facilities, whatever). I don't know how the new practice facility is progressing...

She was released in order to sign Kate Martin

Alissa Pili has been signed to a developmental contract by the Los Angeles Sparks, head coach Lynne Roberts revealed at practice today. Laura Ziegler held the spot that Pili is slotting into. Pili played for the Sparks last season and has been rehabbing from a lower leg injury.

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The Los Angeles Sparks are hiring Philadelphia 76ers VP of player personnel Ariana Andonian as their new GM, multiple sources tell The Athletic.

Andonian is replacing Raegan Pebley, whom L.A. parted ways with in July following two and a half years with the organization.

Read for free.

I went on social media to see what the chatter about Reagan being fired was. And across all social media, X, IG, Reddit, FB, Discord, YouTube and TikTok, 95% of the chatter was Caitlin Clark fans raving about how The Sparks must be clearing house to sign and rebuild around Clark. Aside from one single video from some channel called TreoView who went on a Reagan Rant, on YouTube, it seemed like every commentary channel and podcast, was Fever fans hoping Reagan being fired is the first step to CC becoming a Spark.

Did you guys (Sparks Fans) know Caitlin Clark fans have been hoping and pleading that The Sparks sign her. Apparently they hate her being in Indiana and much as we hate Reagan and Lynne being in LA.

The Sparks were gifted the lightest schedule in the league through the first half of the season. Playing only 18 games, while most other teams have played 20-22 games. This is partially because of an unusual 9 day break that ends today. The team has been able to rest and recover, practice, and prepare better than any other team in the league this season.

Can we expect The Sparks to turn this season around, given they’ve had the most favorable schedule in the league?

Did anyone else giggle at how that email came the day after we were all on a high from the amazing close out by Nneka at the 30th anniversary game?

My partner and I have yet to fill out, but just know we are about to tell this organization all about themselves. We’ve lived in Dallas and Vegas and can truly say that everything about attending a Sparks game is subpar- and when we were living in Dallas the wings were playing at UTA, but even still, it was a far better experience.

The Aces are all about their game day experience and I believe we got spoiled there, but LA needs to get their stuff together because how on earth were there soooooooo many empty seats during the 30th anniversary game. Does anyone in the front office feel any shame? Is anyone working there actually from LA and has pride in the local team? Idk, but we are going to respond as honestly as possible, and I just want to say that I hope you all do the same.