If bonds can win championships, then the connection between Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum might be the spark to put Los Angeles back on the map.
Last season, the Los Angeles Sparks finished dead last in the league with a record of 8-32. It's a dismal record indeed, but as any true sports fan knows, the numbers don't always tell the whole story.
Cameron Brink was well on her way to making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year before a devastating knee injury cut her season short. While that loss stung, it opened the door for Rickea Jackson to step up and make her mark, proving that the young core in LA had real potential.
At the heart of that young squad was a seasoned leader: Dearica Hamby. More than just a veteran presence, Hamby has been everything the Sparks needed— a mother, a friend, and a leader both on and off the court.
Still, circumstance rather than strategy initially brought Hamby to the Sparks. After all, it's rare to see a player willingly leave a franchise with their own practice facility, a dedicated home arena, six straight playoff appearances, and two championships to a struggling Sparks team. A long shot? Absolutely.
But in this free agency period, that long shot became a reality thanks to a blockbuster three-team trade. Jewell Loyd joined the Las Vegas Aces, the Seattle Storm secured the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and Kelsey Plum became a Los Angeles Spark.
Despite her desire to come to LA, Plum admits she had some hesitation. During Wednesday's press conference at Crypto.com Arena, she didn't shy away from that fact.
"I 100% had concerns," she acknowledged. However, those concerns quickly faded thanks to the efforts of Sparks General Manager Reagan Pebley and head coach Lynne Roberts. "They have not just met but exceeded my expectations," Plum said.
"I've been treated better than I've ever been as a WNBA player," she continued, adding that while others may have had different experiences with the franchise, for her, "This has been first class."
Beyond the organization's commitment to investing in its players, there was another factor in Plum's decision: her bond with Dearica Hamby. That connection significantly impacted her arrival in LA—though she didn't let Hamby in on her intentions right away.
"It's so funny because I kind of, for a while, spoke to her in hypotheticals," Plum admitted, explaining that she wasn't sure if the trade would come to fruition.
"Let's be real. There's a lot of different moves that had to be made for me to be here," she said. But despite the uncertainty, one thing remained constant—their friendship.
"Life can take you different places, but I think we're both emotional. But, if it's really meant to be in terms of like a friendship, you'll always come back together," she said.
Last season showed glimpses of greatness for the Sparks, and with the combined leadership of Hamby and Plum, LA is primed to stay competitive. Whether that's enough to "win right now" remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this team is ready to fight for it.
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