{"id":3717,"date":"2026-05-10T13:56:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T13:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=3717"},"modified":"2026-05-10T13:56:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T13:56:50","slug":"sparks-wnba-draft-preview-late-picks-can-help-fill-out-veteran-led-roster-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=3717","title":{"rendered":"Sparks\u2019 WNBA draft preview: Late picks can help fill out veteran-led roster"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

LOS ANGELES \u2014 The Sparks may not have a first-round pick in Monday\u2019s WNBA draft but they still have several opportunities to select players, possibly a Bruin or two, who might stick on this season\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n

Read more WNBA draft: Sparks add South Carolina\u2019s Ta\u2019Niya Latson among 3 picks<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about fit,\u201d ESPN WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo said.<\/p>\n

The franchise that has three WNBA titles has not made the playoffs since 2020. The Sparks traded away future rights to the No. 3 overall selection in the 2026 draft in 2024 for the No. 4 pick, which they used to draft forward Rickea Jackson.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the team announced Jackson was traded to the Chicago Sky for guard Ariel Atkins.<\/p>\n

A top-three pick in this draft would have landed the Sparks the ability to draft either UConn\u2019s Azzi Fudd, TCU\u2019s Olivia Miles, UCLA\u2019s Lauren Betts, or Spain\u2019s Awa Fam, who are all in contention for the No. 1 overall selection, according to ESPN\u2019s latest mock draft.<\/p>\n

Instead, they have two second-round picks (20th and 24th) and one third-round selection (35th) to add to a veteran-led roster, highlighted by recent free agent commitments from All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby and Erica Wheeler.<\/p>\n

At this point, Lobo said the Sparks, who also have exclusive rights to re-sign All-Star guard Kelsey Plum through a core-qualifying offer, should lean into rebuilding as a championship contender through free agency rather than the draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should sign Nneka Ogwumike in free agency,\u201d Lobo said with a big smile before going in-depth about the impact on second and third-round picks.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWhen you get into the second round or the third round,\u201d Lobo continued, \u201cit\u2019s just trying to fill out your roster with pieces who might be able to stick or pieces that might be able to be on your developmental roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lobo said that\u2019s why who calls your number is more important than being a top selection by the wrong team.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you fit in better and go to a place where they can really use your skill set and where you can play to your strengths,\u201d Lobo explained. \u201cThat is always more important than exactly where you are slotted by the time you\u2019re taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

SPARKS ACQUIRE ATKINS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Atkins, 29, is a five-time all-defensive team selection and former Olympian. She averaged 13.1 points in 34 games last season, was given a franchise tag by Chicago earlier this week.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u201cAriel is a proven winner and one of the most respected two-way guards in this league,\u201d Sparks GM Raegan Pebley said in a report from The Associated Press. \u201cShe\u2019s a champion, an elite defender and someone who understands what it takes to win in big moments. Her professionalism, competitiveness and versatility make her a perfect fit for our franchise and a key piece in our pursuit of a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jackson was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season.<\/p>\n

Read more Sparks 2026 roster breakdown \u2013 who\u2019s gone, who\u2019s back and who\u2019s new<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson,\u201d Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. \u201cRickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.\u201d<\/p>\n

UCLA women\u2019s basketball<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A record six UCLA seniors are expected to be drafted among a total of 45 selections. Betts, Angela Dugali\u0107, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens and Kiki Rice were among the 15 top prospects invited to New York for the draft.<\/p>\n

Betts, a 6-foot-7 center, is projected to be a Top 5 lottery pick.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the Final Four helps (Lauren Betts\u2019) draft stock or at least helps the conviction for teams that were already considering her,\u201d ESPN WNBA Play-By-Play Commentator Ryan Ruocco said in a pre-draft media call on April 10.<\/p>\n

Jaquez, Kneepkens and Rice are also likely first-rounders. Ruocco said he believes Jaquez\u2019s performance in the national championship victory against South Carolina did helped improve her draft stock.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see her ability to affect the game in so many different ways,\u201d Ruocco said. \u201cHer relentless nature. Her ability to shoot. How she defends. The way she tracks loose balls. The way she rose to the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

That leaves Dugali\u0107, a 6-4 versatile forward and 5-10 guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, as the only two Bruins who could still be on the board when the Sparks have their turn to add young talent to an expanded 12-person active roster, which does not include two newly created slots for developmental players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Angela Dugali\u0107 is a player who is going to be a really effective stretch-4 in the WNBA and I think could impact a contender right away this season,\u201d Ruocco said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Lobo said a sleeper selection to look out for is Kentucky\u2019s Teonni Key. The 6-5 versatile post can play forward and center, and has a proven ability to block shots.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she is a player who has incredible potential,\u201d Lobo said, \u201cwho is going to be a better pro player than she was a college player.\u201d<\/p>\n

It will be a quick transition for the rookies. Training camp will begin on Sunday, April 19.<\/p>\n

The 30th WNBA season, featuring a 44-game regular season, will tip off on Friday, May 8. The Sparks open the season against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, May 10.<\/p>\n

Read more Sparks 2026 season preview: Nneka Ogwumike\u2019s return hastens playoff timeline<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Associated Press contributed to this report<\/p>\n

2026 WNBA DRAFT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When:<\/strong> Monday, 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> New York City<\/p>\n

TV:<\/strong> ESPN<\/p>\n

DRAFT ORDER (First Round)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

1. Dallas Wings<\/p>\n

2. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago)<\/p>\n

3. Seattle Storm (from Sparks)<\/p>\n

4. Washington Mystics<\/p>\n

5. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut)<\/p>\n

6. Toronto Tempo (Expansion)<\/p>\n

7. Portland Fire (Expansion)<\/p>\n

8. Golden State Valkyries (Expansion)<\/p>\n

9. Washington Mystics (from Seattle)<\/p>\n

10. Indiana Fever<\/p>\n

11. Washington Mystics (from New York)<\/p>\n

12. Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix)<\/p>\n

13. Atlanta Dream<\/p>\n

14. Seattle Storm (from Las Vegas)<\/p>\n

15. Connecticut Sun (from Minnesota)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sparks are expected to add youthful talented to the back end of a veteran-led roster in Monday’s WNBA draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":985,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-facts","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nSparks\u2019 WNBA draft preview: Late picks can help fill out veteran-led roster - Silicon Valley Moving Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=3717\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sparks\u2019 WNBA draft preview: Late picks can help fill out veteran-led roster - 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