Chicago Sky fans have been waiting for a spark — a player who can lift a young, talented roster into serious WNBA contention. Now, whispers around the league suggest that the Sky may have found their perfect trade partner: the Los Angeles Sparks. With both teams facing roster gaps and draft considerations, a deal could reunite veterans, inject leadership, and reshape the future of both franchises.
The storyline is impossible to ignore. In 2021, the Sky captured their first-ever WNBA championship, while that same year marked the Sparks’ first missed playoffs in four seasons. Candace Parker, a legendary Spark, left LA for Chicago and made an immediate impact, helping lead the Sky to glory. Though Parker only played two seasons in the Windy City, her move exemplifies how strategic acquisitions can dramatically alter a team’s fortunes.
Fast forward to today: both the Sky and Sparks are navigating complicated draft and roster situations. Chicago missed the playoffs last season, and Los Angeles is entering a second straight year without a first-round pick. The Sky selected Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese in 2024, while the Sparks drafted Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Both rosters are young and talented, but experience and depth remain concerns — especially for Chicago, where head coach Tyler Marsh seeks proven leadership around his rising stars.
Enter Dearica Hamby. The 32-year-old Sparks forward is a 10-year WNBA veteran who has averaged more than 17 points per game over the last two seasons. Hamby is more than a scorer; she brings championship experience and a winning mentality, having played under Marsh in 2022 when the Las Vegas Aces won the title. Adding Hamby to a Chicago roster featuring Reese and Cardoso could immediately elevate the team’s competitiveness, providing mentorship and stability alongside youthful potential.
A trade scenario could be simple but impactful: Chicago sends an early second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to Los Angeles in exchange for Hamby. For the Sparks, who lack a first-round selection, the pick offers a valuable opportunity to restock the roster with a young prospect. For Chicago, it’s a low-risk move with potentially huge returns, especially if free agents like Courtney Vandersloot or Ariel Atkins depart in the offseason.
The timing couldn’t be better. With the 2026 WNBA Draft approaching, both franchises are positioned to benefit: the Sky gain veteran leadership and proven talent, while the Sparks acquire draft capital to rebuild. The trade would reunite Hamby with coach Marsh and place her alongside rising stars in a scenario reminiscent of Parker’s move four years ago.
If executed, the deal could be the jolt the Chicago Sky need to transform from playoff hopefuls to serious championship contenders. But the question on everyone’s mind: will management pull the trigger, or will this opportunity slip away, leaving fans wondering what could have been?
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