3 Sparks Heading Into Their Final Season in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Sparks are preparing to embark on the second year of the Curt Miller era as they are in the middle of a rebuild after seeing All-Star forward Nneka Ogwumike sign in free agency with the Seattle Storm.

There’s not a ton of optimism for the Sparks this season as they are a long shot to make the WNBA playoffs (+500 on FanDuel Sportsbook) and their O/U on wins are set at (11.5 on DraftKings).

However, they had an incredible 2024 draft, taking Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, who could be the next franchise players and they have a nice mix of veterans, who know what it takes to win at the next level. 

Speaking of those veteran players, a few are scheduled to be free agents next season, meaning they might not be back in Los Angeles in 2025. Below, we’ll highlight a few players and discuss their outlook heading into this season and beyond.

1. Kia Nurse

The veteran guard was acquired in the offseason from the Seattle Storm plus the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft (which became Rickea Jackson) in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick from the Sparks.

Nurse didn’t do much with the Storm last season, averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.7 minutes per game. However, the Sparks would love to see Nurse return to her 2021 form with the Phoenix Mercury. 

During that season, the former first-round pick averaged 9.5 points per game on 35.9 percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc. In the Sparks’ two preseason games, Nurse hasn’t been afraid to let it fly, shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Last season, the Sparks were ranked ninth in three-point shooting (33.3), so hopefully, Nurse can help change that. If she has a good bounce-back season in Los Angeles, Miller and the Sparks’ front office should try to re-sign her to a long-term deal.

However, it also puts Nurse on the radar for contending teams, who might believe she can be a key fixture in the starting lineup or off the bench.