It has been an underwhelming start to the campaign for the LA Sparks fanbase as they have watched their beloved franchise fall to a woeful 6-14 record. Despite the ambitious acquisition of Kelsey Plum in a three-team trade that saw the No.2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft head to the Seattle Storm and dynamic guard Jewell Loyd join the Las Vegas Aces, the Sparks' season has been far from overwhelming.
LA's general manager, Raegen Pebley, has ruthlessly taken it upon herself to commence open heart surgery on a roster that has consistently showcased lacklustre performances this year, with guard pairing Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy facing the chop on July 2. The next day, Julie Vanloo was added to the payroll after the Golden State Valkyries shockingly waived the Belgian star.
Yet, it is the Sparks' most recent transaction that could raise eyebrows around the league and almost confirm that the team won’t make the playoffs this season.
Mercedes Russell falls victim to roster shake-up
Mercedes Russell, a two-time WNBA champion, was deemed surplus to requirements in Los Angeles and waived by the franchise on July 12. The 29-year-old center averaged 8.2 minutes, 1.7 points, and 1.2 rebounds per game, which would suggest Russell has never been perceived as a vital cog in head coach Lynne Roberts' system.
Even though Russell was not exactly the frontrunner in the Most Valuable Player discussions, what she did provide was vital experience and depth to a squad that is scarce of options in the center position. Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens have both been left to occupy the role despite being listed as forwards.
However, this is not a rash decision that Pebley has made out of malice, highlighting that brighter days are on the horizon for the Los Angeles Sparks. With Russell's departure confirmed, the franchise has reduced the number of players on their active roster to 11, allowing them to sign a new player or work of one player on the injury list back into the system.
Reports have suggested that the long-awaited return of Cameron Brink could be close after the star tore her ACL and meniscus on June 18, 2024. Coach Roberts has proposed that the 23-year-old could return to action by the end of July—albeit not at the peak of her powers.
But what Brink would supply her team with is a defensive resilience that they have struggled to exhibit this season. The Sparks currently rank 12th in defensive rating, conceding 108.3 points per 100 possessions.
Sacrificing Mercedes Russell's role to pave the path for Cameron Brink's return seems like an obvious choice. Nevertheless, with the severity of the sophomore's injury, she will not only face a physical battle, but a mental one as she bids to return to full fitness—a fact that could indicate that the general manager has discarded ambitions for a place in the postseason in favour of the development of the Sparks' young star.