The Los Angeles Sparks must feel like they’re living in a bad sports-themed version of Groundhog Day. Once again, they’ve found themselves heartbreakingly close to landing the top pick in the WNBA Draft, only to see their lottery dreams crushed at the finish line. Two years, two number-two picks, and not even a consolation trophy for their pain.
For a franchise once synonymous with success, these are tough times. The Sparks haven’t sniffed the playoffs since 2020—a drought that feels more like a desert at this point. Sure, they’ve had some moments of hope, like snagging Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in the 2024 draft. But then Brink’s ACL decided to throw a wrench in their plans, limiting her to just 15 games and leaving the Sparks with a league-worst eight wins. Eight. That’s not a stat—it’s a cry for help.
But, as any tanking team knows, losing has its perks: a better shot at lottery gold. Heading into the 2025 Draft Lottery, the Sparks had one of the best chances to land the golden ticket—Paige Bueckers, the generational guard who could reshape their future and maybe even boost the franchise’s dwindling popularity. Alas, the basketball gods had other plans. The Dallas Wings swooped in with a sly pick swap and nabbed the top spot, leaving the Sparks once again holding the proverbial silver medal. Or maybe it’s just tin.
Second Pick, Second Heartbreak
Now, let’s not pretend the second pick is chopped liver. The Sparks will still get a top-tier prospect, likely Kiki Iriafen, who already has chemistry with Brink from their Stanford days. But let’s be honest—this team needs guards like the Lakers need to avoid load management drama. Drafting another forward when the backcourt is crying for reinforcements feels like patching a sinking boat with a Band-Aid.
And here’s where the sting really sets in: Paige Bueckers was the player for this team. Pairing her with Brink and Jackson would have given the Sparks a legitimate big three—a trio capable of turning them from basement dwellers into playoff contenders. Imagine the excitement! The ticket sales! The memes! Instead, they’ll have to settle for “what if” scenarios and more “close but no cigar” memes.
Lottery Luck: A Cruel Mistress
Watching the Sparks lose out on the top pick for the second straight year is like watching a rom-com where the protagonist almost gets the girl but ends up alone with a pint of ice cream. It’s painful. It’s predictable. And it keeps happening. Even Sparks players looked visibly shell-shocked when the second pick was announced. “Not again,” their faces seemed to say. And who could blame them? It’s one thing to be bad, but it’s another to be bad and unlucky.
For context, this franchise used to be a model of consistency, winning titles and setting attendance records. Now? They’re the league’s lovable losers—a role they’d probably prefer to leave to someone else.
Where Do the Sparks Go From Here?
So, what now? Do they draft Iriafen and hope she blossoms into a star? Do they trade the pick for a proven guard? Or do they invest in a rabbit’s foot, a horseshoe, and whatever else they can find to break this curse?
No matter what they do, one thing is clear: this team needs a win, and not the kind you get in a lottery simulator. Sparks fans have been through enough heartbreak. They’re ready for the days when “number one” refers to their playoff seed, not the pick they almost had.
For now, though, it’s another year of what-ifs, missed opportunities, and the faint hope that next time, the ping-pong balls will finally bounce their way. Until then, they might want to stock up on tissues—and maybe some ice cream.
