The Los Angeles Sparks sit at 5-12 on the season, but received encouraging news that two key players would be returning to the team. However, the franchise had to make tough decisions and waive two players.
Rae Burrell, who has missed 16 games due to a knee injury, is set to return to the Sparks, in addition to Julie Allemand, who led the Belgium women’s basketball team to a championship victory over Spain.
On July 2, Los Angeles announced the waiving of former All-Star Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy via X (formerly Twitter).
Tough Decisions
Los Angeles had to cut Sims and Peddy to stay within the 12-player roster limit. Despite the league expanding to 18 teams by 2030, there are still a limited number of roster slots.
Although Sims was cut, it wasn’t due to poor play or a lack of production. She played in 12 games with the Sparks and started 11 of them.
The Texas native made the opening day roster for the Sparks. She averaged 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 35.3% from three.
On the flip side, Peddy provided the team with bench depth but only played in six games. Although her playing time was limited, she averaged five points, three rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
The 5-foot-7 guard was signed to a hardship contract when Allemand left the franchise to play in the EuroBasket tournament.
Needed Spark
Although Burrell and Allemand don’t fill out the stat line, they are young pieces that can help the franchise in the future. Both players supplement the backcourt and could coexist with Kelsey Plum.
Last season, the Sparks received Allemand in a trade from the Chicago Sky. While she has less than three seasons under her belt, the franchise sought to add an experienced floor general to its roster.
During her stint in EuroBasket, she was a dominant force. She averaged 13 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in her last five games with Belgium while shooting 50.6% from the field.
Congrats to our very own @JulieAllemand on winning @EuroBasketWomen Championship with @TheBelgianCats. 🏆🇧🇪
On the other hand, Burrell was on her way to landing a bigger role in Los Angeles. She put the league on notice with her well-rounded performance in Unrivaled.
The 6-foot-2 guard injured her knee in the first game of the WNBA season. However, she is ramping up her workouts and could return soon.
Burrell is a strong defender who has shown the ability to space the floor with her three-point shooting. When given minutes, she has been able to impact the game with her energy and hustle.
WNBA Waive
WNBA All-Star Weekend will take place from July 18-19, which means that the August 7th trade deadline is approaching. This season, like others, has been filled with surprising roster cuts.
On June 26, the Golden State Valkyries waived guard Julie Vanloo after her return from Eurobasket. The franchise also waived Aerial Powers on June 15.
Even with the recent roster moves from the Sparks, the organization will only have 11 players on the roster. The team could sign one more player or leave that roster spot open until closer to the trade deadline.
Cameron Brink is a part of the active 11 players; she has been rehabbing her knee from last season’s injury. Her return is still questionable, as there have not been any major updates as of late.
Key Players Return to Los Angeles Sparks as Former All-Star is Waived