Kelsey Plum has never been one to shy away from making waves, and her latest move to the Los Angeles Sparks is no exception. The two-time WNBA champion shook up the league with a blockbuster trade, landing in LA—a team she idolized as a kid. But it wasn’t just her move that had the WNBA world buzzing.
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Instead, it was her take on her new squad, especially her high praise for Cameron Brink and the young Sparks core. It’s been nearly a decade since the Los Angeles Sparks’ last title run, and the team is coming off a league-worst 8-32 season that led to the departure of former head coach Curtis Miller.
So, right in her first official introduction for the Sparks, Plum made the expectations clear for this season and beyond.“I think Cam is Defensive Player of the Year, Rickea’s an All-Star… when you look at versatility, everyone can shoot, they can play multiple positions, they can guard multiple positions, and they’re all competitors,” she stated.
From her response, it was clear that Plum brings not just a veteran presence to the floor, but also a strong leadership role in the locker room for a young core consisting of last year’s No. 2 and No. 4 picks, Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. She’d go on to heap praises on the duo– “the best young frontcourt in the league, and it’s not close,” she says.
However, Plum’s comments didn’t sit well with everyone. Instead of universal praise, she found herself in the middle of a heated debate about the Sparks’ young core and overall competitiveness.
Fans React: ‘It’s Really About to Be a Spooky Next Season’
As soon as Plum’s interview aired, social media erupted, with fans debating what her arrival means for the Sparks and the WNBA as a whole.
Others outright questioned whether Dericka Hamby should even be considered part of the WNBA’s elite frontcourt players. While Hamby is a two-time All-Star and a proven competitor, some argue that other teams still have stronger frontcourt depth. “Hamby isn’t young in this context. I’d still take these instead: Jones/Stewart/Fiebich, Smith/Collier/Carleton, Boston/Howard/Bonner (remains to be seen), Magbegor/Ogwumike/Williams.”
Hamby is averaging 17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but is that enough to compete against the league’s best? Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Leonie Fiebich just led the Liberty to a WNBA championship. For sure, with the Sparks coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history, their young core will have to prove itself against veteran talent to even be in the playoff conversation.
“that’s why I always got the problems I got,” another penned, sharing Reese’s 24-point, 12 rebound performance against the Sparks last season. She’d also shot 9-of-15 from the field.
“Kamilla putting in work in China, and Angel is in the lab with all them W vets AND Lisa Leslie—it’s really about to be a spooky next season,” one user commented.
Both Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, who anchor Chicago’s frontcourt, have been putting in serious work this offseason. When some WNBA players are enjoying some well-deserved rest, these two have been grinding non-stop. While Cardoso is currently playing in the Chinese league, averaging over 21 points and 11 rebounds, Reese has been training at Unrivaled, working alongside WNBA veterans—and even getting pointers from Lisa Leslie.
And that’s why the anticipation for an LA vs. Chicago showdown is already through the roof. “I literally can’t wait for the match between Chicago and LA. Let the best frontcourt win!” And it’s easy to see why. All four—Reese, Cardoso, Jackson, and Brink—are part of the 2024 WNBA draft class.
Moving on, while some doubt Plum’s optimism, the numbers suggest she might be onto something. Both Jackson and Brink have well-rounded skill sets, making them promising young stars in the WNBA. With an average of 13.4 points per game on 45.6% shooting, Jackson has already proven herself a reliable offensive weapon.
And Brink? She might have missed her first season due to injury, but she remains focused on returning stronger. She’s currently averaging 7.5 points per game, a respectable number given her limited time on the court. So, what do you think? Is Kelsey Plum right about the Sparks?
