Last season, the Sparks had the overall #2 Cameron Brink and #4 pick Rickea Jackson in the WNBA draft and yet finished at the bottom of the standings. After 8-32 records, things had to change! The ownership responded by adding 2x WNBA champion Kelsey Plum in the trade window. Magic Johnson, the co-owner of the team since 2014, was hopeful after that addition. Even with the latest 2025 draft picks, the Lakers legend shared the same reaction as they get to play with a healthy Cameron Brink.

This year, the Sparks did not have the top 5 picks, but they still had the #9 overall pick. The team selected Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Baker. “I want to welcome Sarah Ashlee Barker to our Los Angeles Sparks! I believe we are building a special team this season! Sarah gives us everything we are looking for in a player. She can score off the dribble, she’s a dead eye 3-point shooter, and she’s a defensive specialist.” Johnson credited the guard for her offensive and defensive display on X. Plus, the prospect of Baker teaming with Brink also excited the 5x NBA champion.

“We are thrilled to have her on the Sparks! We are going to have an outstanding season especially when Cameron Brink is back in the lineup!” However, the #9 pick was not the only player Magic Johnson celebrated. “Welcome to the to the Los Angeles Sparks Sania Feagin! Another strong addition to our team, Sania shot 60% from the field, is a strong rebounder and shot blocker, and she knows how to win as a two-time national champion!”

The #21 pick is a former Gamecocks and the third from Dawn Staley’s team to be selected this year at the draft. As Johnson added, the forward scored 60% from the field, which was also a team high. Plus, her shot blocking also stands out with 1.5 blocks per game this season. Even last year, the addition of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson made people hopeful about the team’s chances. But an unfortunate injury to the former derailed the momentum.

Despite Magic Johnson being enthusiastic about the future, Brink dropped a “hardest” update

In June 2024, Cameron Brink was thriving for the Los Angeles Sparks, off to what looked to be an incredible rookie season. In fact, the 23-year-old had 2.5 blocks in her rookie season, but it all came crashing down. During the game against the Connecticut Sun, she hobbled off, and it was a season-ending ACL injury. Before the injury, she was tied with A’ja Wilson for the second-most blocks in the WNBA. It’s been 9 months since the injury, yet the hard part continues.

“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. And so just being prompted like that, especially when I don’t feel like it’s on my own terms to talk about, I just get very emotional about it.” On her Straight to Cam podcast, the 2021 shared the entire process of her ordeal. The Stanford alum only played 15 games last season but left an undeniable mark on the court. That’s why Magic Johnson is eager for her star player to return.

It’s the same excitement that the 5x NBA champion shared when the Sparks acquired the native Kelsey Plum. The 30-year-old brings in the experience required for the team that wants to rebuild to its glory days. A healthy duo of Jackson and Brink, plus the leadership of Plum, might be the Spark that the LA franchise needed.