Last season was supposed to be a special one for the Los Angeles Sparks, especially after landing Kelsey Plum in what was arguably the biggest move of the year. But the hype never quite translated, as a sluggish 3–10 start ultimately derailed their playoff hopes. Still, there were signs of promise. The Sparks rallied late to finish 21–23, offering a glimpse of what this group could be. But now, there’s a renewed sense of hope in LA.

There’s a big homecoming on the cards. Former No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Nneka Ogwumike, has officially her return to where it all began on X. She wrote, “It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon…,” alongside a video of herself playing for the Sparks.

Nneka Ogwumike returns to the Los Angeles Sparks after three years away. During her previous stint, she was the cornerstone of the franchise—playing a pivotal role in their 2016 championship run, where she was also named Finals MVP. She later became central to former head coach Curt Miller’s rebuild, anchoring the team through a transitional phase.

Her steady presence proved crucial after Candace Parker departed in 2021, but three consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance ultimately proved too much. She went on to spend the next two seasons with the Seattle Storm. But now, with Rickea Jackson, the Sparks’ third-leading scorer last season, currently in trade talks with the Chicago Sky, the need for experience became even more urgent. And few players fit that bill better than Nneka Ogwumike.

With a return to Los Angeles, Nneka is making a comeback to a court that she knows quite a lot about. The Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center, is where she made many fond memories. Ogwumike earned eight All-Star nods in her time there. And now she has a chance to relive those moments yet again, thanks to her return. But what does it mean for her and the Sparks’ future?

Sparks Looking To Rebuild With Ogwumike Leading The Roster

While many thought that Nneka Ogwumike had given her confirmation to the Minnesota Lynx courtesy of the Amazing Balloons viral moment, things took a totally different turn. Dashing all hopes of a Lynx alliance, Ogwumike gave her nod to a familiar franchise.

Since she left, the Los Angeles Sparks have made serious moves, bringing in head coach Lynne Roberts and investing in a $150 million practice facility.

The roster still has gaps to fill, but Nneka Ogwumike’s return says everything about where this team is headed. A franchise legend coming back is a clear signal the Sparks are in win-now mode, and they could very well be a team to watch this season, especially with a fully fit Cameron Brink back in the mix.

Ogwumike’s return gives Los Angeles a veteran who is capable of shooting. 51.9% from the field and 36.7% from three in 2025, showing she can stretch defenses and still dominate inside. Even when it comes to picking up rebounds, she is unmatched with 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, giving Sparks a reliable interior presence.

On top of that, she has the experience on her side, and that goes a long way. At present, Nneka is the most experienced on the roster (14 years), which makes her a locker-room leader. But now that Nneka Ogwumike’s joining has been made official, the Sparks would look to address other areas as well. At present, Azura Stevens has announced she won’t be returning this season, while Dearica Hamby remains unsigned. Both played crucial roles, making their situations important for the Sparks to resolve.

As per Annie Costabile, the Los Angeles Sparks are expected to trade 2024 first-round pick Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky this weekend in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins. The former Chicago Sky guard, who turns 30 in July, is a two-time All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive player. She also played a key role in the Washington Mystics’ 2019 championship run, making her a potentially huge addition for the Sparks.

Last year was dreadful for the Sparks. They finished with a 21-23 record, but you can still call that an improvement over their 2024 season, which was a downright disaster (8-32 record). But still, they are a long way from their goal of establishing themselves as contenders, and Ogwumike might just be the player to change their fate.

Nneka Ogwumike should also be in line for a major salary bump, and she deserves full credit for helping make it happen.

Madame President Deserves Credit for the WNBA CBA

After 17 long months of tough negotiations, the WNBA CBA agreement was finally reached. There were real concerns about the league missing games or even heading into a lockout as deadlines passed without a deal. But in the end, an agreement was secured, and it begs the question: Should we not give credit to the president of the players’ association?

Nneka Ogwumike helped lead negotiations that could now see players become millionaires, with supermax contracts reaching up to $1.4 million. The salary cap has also risen to $7 million per team, along with a significant jump in average salaries. And this isn’t new territory for Ogwumike. She also played a key role in negotiating the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, which brought improved salaries and better travel benefits for players.

Even Nneka Ogwumike herself could soon join the league’s new wave of millionaires, and it was long overdue. After everything she has given the game, both on and off the court, it would be more than just a payday. It would be a statement of her legacy.