WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 4.0: The best-laid plans

NEW LONDON, CT - MAY 21: Lee Watrous of Habitat for Humanity and Connecticut Sun Assistant Coach Bernadette Mattox and Connecticut Sun Head Coach Mike Thibault review the floorplan at a Habitat for Humanity work site on May 21, 2011 in New London, Connecticut. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW LONDON, CT - MAY 21: Lee Watrous of Habitat for Humanity and Connecticut Sun Assistant Coach Bernadette Mattox and Connecticut Sun Head Coach Mike Thibault review the floorplan at a Habitat for Humanity work site on May 21, 2011 in New London, Connecticut. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
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UNCASVILLE, CT – NOVEMBER 17: UConn Huskies forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots over Vanderbilt Commodores guard LeaLea Carter (30) during a women’s college basketball game between UConn Huskies and Vanderbilt Commodores on November 17, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT – NOVEMBER 17: UConn Huskies forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots over Vanderbilt Commodores guard LeaLea Carter (30) during a women’s college basketball game between UConn Huskies and Vanderbilt Commodores on November 17, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

7. Los Angeles Sparks: Napheesa Collier, 6’1 F, Connecticut

This already looked like a fit. But now, with Essence Carson in Phoenix? The Sparks need a replacement, and they need an answer for Carson should the two meet up in the playoffs. Collier’s an elite rebounder, especially for her size, something Fisher identified as a key need when he took the job. But she does many other things, whether it’s versatility on the defensive end, stepping into passing lanes (Collier’s steal percentage is 2.4 percent and was north of 3 last year) and can shoot it from everywhere (though her drop in three-point accuracy this year is a red flag, reinforced by her drop in free throw percentage). She plays taller than she is, too, like Carson — block rate is 4.7 percent. Collier, like Samuelson, comes with UConn pedigree, a very high basketball IQ, and should help the Sparks as a logical three to put next to Nneka Ogwumike and Candace Parker, for instance—or even a lineup featuring a certain center the Wings have on the trade market, too.