Los Angeles Sparks crashed to another lacklustre record in 2024 – finishing the year with an inferior 8-32 record.

Times have been tough for the Los Angeles Sparks and their fanbase in recent times – missing out on a playoff place in the last four consecutive seasons.

WNBA spectators predicted an upturn in the franchises fortunes in 2024, with the new appointment of Raegan Pebley as general manager and the acquisition of exciting rookie, Cameron Brink.

However, a season ending injury for Brink and Lexie Brown missing the majority of the season due to Crohn’s disease cemented the Sparks’ position at the depths of the regular season standings as they finished rock bottom.

It was obvious that Lady Luck had no intention to end the suffering on the west coast in 2024, but some of the blame has to lie in the lap of head coach, Curt Miller, who now finds himself unemployed.

Miller struggled to find a solution to Los Angeles’ offensive woes, especially in the final two quarters of games as the opponents would steamroller their way to victory with mammoth scoring runs.

LA registered the worst offensive rating out of all 12 teams in the league – scoring a disastrous 98.6

If you cannot score, you have to be able to stay resilient on the defensive end of the floor, an area in which the Sparks also struggled immensely, finishing the year 9th overall in defensive rating – achieving a score of 107.7.

Nevertheless, the two-time WNBA Coach of the Year shouldered the blame for his sides’ turbulent year and vowed that the side will see improvement.

Unfortunately, we now know that he will not be the one to oversee this project with Lynne Roberts being handed the reigns for the 2025 season.

Brighter times are coming to the West Coast

Despite all the dark and gloomy occasions that have plagued the Crypto.com Arena, fortunes are forecast to change on the West Coast.

Cameron Brink is predicted to be back to full fitness in time for opening weekend of the WNBA, providing the Sparks with much needed stability on defense.

The second overall pick in 2024 Draft, Brink was having a wonderful start to her career – recording 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.

Standing at six foot and three inches, the Stanford graduate displays a menacing presence in the paint and will add some much needed stability for the offense to build upon.

In addition to the return of their talented rookie, Los Angeles Sparks have added some veteran stardust in the form of 30 year-old guard, Kelsey Plum.

Plum was acquired from the Las Vegas Aces in a three-team trade that saw Lexie Brown and a third-round pick join Seattle Storm. The Sparks also received two second-round picks from Seattle.

A trade that many did not expect but LA fans will feel like they have added a player that could propel them into playoff contention.

Not only does Kelsey Plum add championship experience but she also brings scoring talent to the guard position that the Sparks have been starved of for several years – averaging 17.8 points per game in 2024.

Could LA add another star in 2025 WNBA Draft?

This year, the LA Sparks have the ninth overall pick in the WNBA Draft and will have to use it wisely if they are to improve this roster.

Mock drafts suggest that general manager, Raegan Pebley, is likely to select Azzi Fudd – gifted shooting guard out of UConn – to add depth into their scarce guard position.

Fudd has huge potential at 22 years-old – scoring 18.9 points and 1.4 steals per game.

Another option that should be considered by the Los Angeles Sparks should be Georgia Amoore, a more natural point guard currently representing Kentucky.

Not only will Amoore provide the scoring that Fudd also brings to the floor, but has a playmaking ability that the shooting guard appears to lack – averaging 18.7 points and 6.8 assists per game.

An issue with the Kentucky star is the lack of rebounding ability due to her smaller size – standing at five foot and 6 inches – but with players such as Cameron Brink in the Sparks’ roster, this should not be too perilous of a problem.

With all the potential surrounding this franchise, LA Sparks fans will be optimistic that their team can steal a playoff berth this year.