Last free agency, the Sparks’ star wattage dimmed significantly when Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray left to play for the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces, respectively.
This offseason, Derek Fisher – the team’s head coach and general manager – appears to be dialing the spotlight back up in a big way with some consequential free agent signings.
The Sparks are reportedly close to adding dynamic 6-foot-8 center Liz Cambage to a roster that now also will feature talented homegrown guard Jordin Canada, a two-time WNBA champion. The Sparks announced Canada’s signing Tuesday.
“Jordin Canada brings championship pedigree and leadership to our group,” Fisher said in a news release, characterizing the native Angeleno as an important part of the Sparks’ offseason plans. “Her ability to probe defenses with her quickness and play pressure defense fits our identity. In addition, she has invaluable experience running high-level offenses throughout her career.”
Canada, a 26-year-old Windward High School graduate, is a proven winner, having played a significant role as Sue Bird’s backup on two of the Seattle Storm’s WNBA championship teams in the four years since they drafted her fifth overall out of UCLA. In college, she guided the Bruins to their second Elite Eight appearance in program history.
“I’m extremely blessed to be back in my city and to play for my hometown,” Canada said in the release. “It has always been a dream of mine to be a part of this championship organization. I can’t wait to get to training camp and get to work with my teammates.”
The speedy Canada led the league in steals (2.3 per game) in 2019, when she made the All-WNBA defensive team. She’s also ranked among the top distributors in the WNBA, ranking third in assists per game (5.5) in 2020 and sixth the previous year (5.2).
In Seattle, she was part of a loaded collection of guards that also featured Jewell Loyd and Bird, the 12-time All-Star and and one of the WNBA’s 25 all-time most influential players. On Saturday, the Storm announced they withdrew their qualifying offer to Canada, making her an unrestricted free agent.
In L.A., Canada figures to join a backcourt that also includes Carter, two-time WNBA champion Kristi Toliver and Te’a Cooper.
Free agent center @ecambage has verbally committed to play for the @LASparks , sources told ESPN Saturday night. Cambage is expected to play a major role for LA alongside @nnekaogwumike and @chiney once the deal is signed. She’s also one of the most marketable stars in the WNBA.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 6, 2022
Cambage, 30, is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA pick who is among the most marketable players in the league. She reportedly gave the team a “verbal commitment” on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Cambage and Canada should play major roles for the Sparks next season alongside forward longtime star Nneka Ogwumike as the team tries to rebound from an injury-plagued 2021 season when they finished 12-20 and missed the playoffs.
Despite entering free agency with just $97,000 worth of salary cap space, the Sparks carved out room on their books to sign Cambage and Canada – who will earn $98,000 on a one-year deal, according to Just Women’s Sports’ Rachel Galligan – with a pair of trades this week, including Saturday’s, when they acquired third-year guard Chennedy Carter.
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“Hollywood,” as Carter is nicknamed, became a member of the Sparks as part of a trade that sent Erica Wheeler to the Atlanta Dream, a move that saved them about $110,000 in cap space.
Last Thursday, the Sparks acquired Katie Lou Samuelson (and a first-round pick this year) from Seattle for Gabby Williams – another trade that freed up cap space (about $72,000) while adding a capable floor-spacer to the roster that should complement the Sparks’ stars in the post.
Cambage, the outspoken Australian who averaged 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season for the Las Vegas Aces, should help the Sparks muscle back into the playoff picture after they missed the postseason for just the fifth time in the team’s 25 seasons.
Back in the LAnd where it all started https://t.co/knnBVOXnJ3
— Jordin Canada (@jordin_canada) February 8, 2022