GSV Expansion Draft Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks

I love LA... draft picks

The primary index for the whole Expansion Draft Series is here.

Fansided: Zia Cooke

Cooke is on an unprotected deal, and she's buried a bit behind Kia Nurse, Lexie Brown and Rae Burrell. But she's still young, a top-10 draft pick just two years ago, and she's exactly the sort of guard you'd expect to come out of Dawn Staley's South Carolina. She's not going to be a lead ballhandler, but she's tenacious at the point of attack and a smart player.

SI.com: Stephanie Talbot

Stephanie Talbot would be another solid presence on the wing for Los Angeles and could play a positive role in helping develop players like Kate Martin, Celeste Taylor, and Nika Muhl.

The Ringer: Li Yueru

Sohi: All right, so I had Li Yueru on my list for the Valkyries.

Merchant: For the Valkyries?

Sohi: Well, yeah, like, your game, but also just pandering. I think that’s smart in your first year. But you’re saying there are other international prospects.

Valhalla.Basketball (very detailed analysis at site):

The Sparks are one of the teams that have multiple possibilities for protection, possibly leaving the Valkyries waiting until the final list to formulate a plan, but this might not be the team with possibilities to excite fans. If they prioritize their younger players and leave either Azura Stevens or Stephanie Talbot unprotected, they could be targets. If Li Yueru is considered reserved and left unprotected, she would be one of a number of center options. The Sparks could also leave Aari McDonald unprotected as the Valkyries may not want to take on a player when there is uncertainty about whether other teams would sign the Fresno native to an offer sheet that might not be worth matching.

The Valkyries may end up picking more players than they intend to keep given their entry draft selections and free agency. Choosing a player like Zia Cooke would allow them to bring her to camp while she is still in the middle of her rookie contract and compete for a spot on the final roster. If Julie Allemand also does not play next season, her team would retain her rights again so that could provide additional long-term value.