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2019 WNBA Mock Draft Big Board: Version 1.0

By Howard Megdal

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: A'ja Wilson poses with a Las Vegas Aces hat during the 2018 WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018 at Nike New York Headquarters in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: A'ja Wilson poses with a Las Vegas Aces hat during the 2018 WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018 at Nike New York Headquarters in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Ezi Magbegor of Australia (R) in action during the Women’s Gold Medal Game on day 10 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 14, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Ezi Magbegor of Australia (R) in action during the Women’s Gold Medal Game on day 10 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Convention Centre on April 14, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) /

7. Los Angeles Sparks: Ezi Magbegor, 6’4 F/C, Australia

If there’s one thing that’s certain, it is that Brian Agler understands how and when to evolve. And after a 2018 season in which the Sparks finished 19-15, there are likely to be changes afoot. Agler knew this when he and general manager Penny Toler picked Maria Vadeeva last year, a potential star of the next great Sparks team. And those changes are likely to be expedited thanks to a salary picture that is going to force some roster maneuvering regardless, finding a way to re-sign free agents like Riquna Willams, Odyssey Sims, Essence Carson, Chelsea Gray (she’s going to get PAID this offseason) and Alana Beard, should she return (please return, Alana) while staying below the league’s salary cap might be a bridge too far.

But there’s the outline of that next Sparks team, built around Gray, Vadeeva, a healthy Sydney Wiese and potentially, the ultra-talented Ezi Magbegor, versatile enough to play next to Liz Cambage for Australia, big enough to handle defending international bigs already, and still just 19 years old. There’s not a pathway to transitioning in L.A. yet, nor should there be with Candace Parker still dominant and Nneka Ogwumike just 28. Magbegor can learn from Nneka, caddy for her for now, and by the time her rookie contract is up, well, the Sparks could have themselves another Nneka.

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