WNBA Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis of the 2019 draft

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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: Cristy Hedgpeth poses with Kalani Brown after being drafted seventh overall by the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2019 WNBA Draft on April 10, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Los Angeles selected Kalani Brown, 6’7 center, Baylor

Look, there are two ways to look at this. Brown is absolutely a low-post complement to the frontcourt versatility of Nneka Ogwumike and Candace Parker, a big-time finisher around the rim and WNBA-ready body now with elite post moves and underrated shooting range. Adding her will help Los Angeles considerably, both on the floor and having her rookie deal to help sooth a salary cap bursting at the seams.

But many are still convinced that it is a matter of when, not if the Sparks and Wings complete a deal, and it is easy to imagine the Waco-schooled Brown heading to Dallas to play for Brian Aglet in a Liz Cambage deal. So it’s hard to fully evaluate this pick independent of that remaining unknown. Brown is clearly value at this spot, though.

The same is true of Marina Mabrey, who Los Angeles got at 19, a very similar pro profile to Sydney Wiese, setting up an intriguing training camp battle. Angela Salvadores, at 31, is a wild card, a Spanish international who didn’t excel at Duke when she played back in 2015-16, but that was a long time ago.

For more live from Los Angeles, here’s Sabreena Merchant.

And David Yapkowitz spoke to Derek Fisher about Mabrey.

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