Los Angeles Sparks face long odds for No. 1 pick as WNBA lottery approaches

The Los Angeles Sparks hold the second-worst odds of securing the No. 1 overall selection in the 2027 WNBA Draft Lottery. The franchise has not advanced past the regular season since the 2020 bubble, a streak that stands as the longest active postseason drought in league history. The Sparks missed the playoffs six times during this current stretch, a figure that exceeds the four misses recorded in their first 24 seasons of existence.

The team’s recent roster construction has been marked by high-cost moves that failed to yield postseason success. Former general manager Raegan Pebley and former coach Lynne Roberts were let go following two unsuccessful all-in campaigns. The Sparks traded the pick that became Dominique Malonga for Kelsey Plum, who played 55 games before being moved in the deadline for Monique Akoa Makani and future assets. They also acquired Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson, paying Atkins just under the maximum salary for a three-year deal. Last season, Atkins averaged 8.5 points on 38.1 percent shooting.

Cameron Brink, the team’s primary young talent with All-Star potential, has played only 65 games in three seasons due to injuries. She has one year remaining on her contract. Nneka Ogwumike retired after a one-season return, while the team still owes Dearica Hamby approximately $2.3 million over the next two years. New general manager Ariana Andonian has not yet hired a replacement coach.

The lottery will be held on Sunday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The event will determine the order for selecting JuJu Watkins, the USC star who missed her junior year with a torn ACL but returned in early November. In her first three games back, Watkins averaged 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 steals. She has not officially declared for the draft and retains eligibility for the 2027-28 season due to a medical redshirt.

Houston and Toronto share the best odds for the top pick. The Houston Comets, formerly the Connecticut Sun, posted a combined 22-66 record over the last two seasons. The Toronto Tempo, an expansion team, finished 11-33 in their inaugural campaign. The league combined their lottery combinations and split them evenly because both teams held a .250 winning percentage. The Comets bought the franchise for a record $300 million in March to revive the brand in Houston.

Other teams participating in the lottery include the Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury, and Los Angeles Sparks. The Sky owe a first-round swap to the Washington Mystics, while the Mercury traded their first-round pick to the Sparks. This trade gives Los Angeles two lottery selections, though the acquired pick holds the worst odds of landing at No. 1. The Seattle Storm, who went 8-36 last season, have added three top-10 picks in recent drafts, including Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam.

The Portland Fire, also an expansion team, finished 17-27 in their first year. They have the fifth-best chance of picking first. The Washington Mystics hold the third-best odds and finished 14-4 after the All-Star break last season. The Sparks’ two selections make a lottery win unlikely, as the team needs both picks to align with the top slot to draft Watkins.