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| Will Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chelsea Gray all stay with LA (at least through 2021)? |
| Yes; all 3 will stay with LA. |
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25% |
[ 8 ] |
| No; at least one of them will leave LA. |
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75% |
[ 24 ] |
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| Total Votes : 32 |
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
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 Posted: 01/15/21 12:28 am ::: Will the Sparks retain their Big 3? |
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Let the discussion & speculation begin.
Chelsea Gray
Years of Experience in the League: 6
Status: UFA
Why she might stay:
Found a home/good situation for herself with the Sparks
Is originally from California
Why she might leave:
Is the only one here that has been with a different team before (the Sun), so is okay with switching teams
Is from the Bay area, which Californians may argue is a world away from LA
Nneka Ogwumike
Years of Experience in the League: 9
Status: Cored
Why she might stay:
Being cored, she can't explore her options per se by negotiating with other teams
Her sister & fellow Spark Chiney's ESPN career is based in LA
Maybe wants to stay with one team her whole career
Why she might leave:
She might want to leave if Chiney leaves the team – whether it be via retirement, wanting out, or LA not being able to afford to keep Chiney
She could be tired of playing under Parker's shadow (this is pretty much Parker's team, after all)
Candace Parker
Years of Experience in the League: 13
Status: UFA
Why she might stay:
She bought a $4-mil house in the LA area last month
Quote: "My decision isn't going to be determined by what other people think. I've played with LA for 13 years, I'm loyal. I never say never, but at the same time, I've been with Adidas my entire career. I stayed at Tennessee when things got hard, I don't quit. I would rather not quit than take the easy way out any day. That's what it's about."
Quote: "I want to be in LA, I've been in LA my entire career. I've had a number of opportunities and a number of times where it's been a real option to leave. I don't want to leave LA..."
Why she might leave:
Quote: "...but at the same time, we've got to get better. We can't keep saying next year… I've had 13 years of the future being bright, at some point we've got to put it together."
And the team will instantly be on a cap crunch if all 3 of them re-sign, which will make it that much tougher to "get better" than they were.
The last time they finished with the League's best record in the regular season is 2004; to reiterate, they haven't done so in all of Parker's 13 years on the team.
Source of these Parker quotes: What is Candace Parker's future in Los Angeles?
Why any/all of them could leave:
Disliking Derek Fisher as a coach (and therefore disapproving his appointment as GM)
Disliking the organization's constant messiness & the team's perceived underachieving
Their time together in LA has run its course
Why any/all of them could stay:
They genuinely like playing together/for each other
They really think they can win another title together (  )
Last edited by Stormeo on 01/15/21 1:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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mavcarter
#NATC
Joined: 02 Sep 2010
Posts: 5935
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: 01/15/21 1:06 am ::: Re: Will the Sparks retain their Big 3? |
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| Stormeo wrote: |
| ”I've had 13 years of the future being bright, at some point we've got to put it together." |
Just fuck 2016, huh Candace.._________________
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| Or maybe said poster should quit being a nuisance when people don’t agree? |
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009
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| Posted: 01/15/21 1:27 am ::: |
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Has there ever been another time where you could at least make an argument that two different players are worthy of coring?
You can argue that one is better than the other between Ogwumike and Gray based on age, position, impact, etc but both are viable candidates for coring.
Follow up do you core the player you view as more valuable? or the player you think is more likely to leave and therefor you want to get assets in return rather than just let that player walk?
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
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| Posted: 01/15/21 1:38 am ::: |
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| J-Spoon wrote: |
| Has there ever been another time where you could at least make an argument that two different players are worthy of coring? |
In the now old days, multiple players could certainly be worthy of being cored at one time when 4-5 players were always on the same max-salary contracts. As the new salary cap sets in, teams probably aren't just gonna let their star players' contracts all run out at the same time & put themselves in this highly undesirable position (though it's highly interesting for us non-Sparks fans!).
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Stormeo
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mavcarter
#NATC
Joined: 02 Sep 2010
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Sparksfan
Joined: 18 Aug 2015
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ClayK
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
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| Posted: 01/15/21 10:09 am ::: |
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| A geographical note: Chelsea Gray went to high school in Stockton, which is 337 miles from LA. (That's about twice the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis, for reference.)
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008
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| Posted: 01/15/21 12:43 pm ::: |
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| ClayK wrote: |
| A geographical note: Chelsea Gray went to high school in Stockton, which is 337 miles from LA. (That's about twice the distance between Chicago and Indianapolis, for reference.) |
and went cross continent to college...which may or may not mean proximity to family means much to her.
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if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
Posts: 4701
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| Posted: 01/15/21 1:24 pm ::: Re: Will the Sparks retain their Big 3? |
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| Sparksfan wrote: |
| Stormeo wrote: |
| mavcarter wrote: |
| Stormeo wrote: |
| ”I've had 13 years of the future being bright, at some point we've got to put it together." |
Just fuck 2016, huh Candace.. |
 2016 notwithstanding, she's not totally wrong. The Sparks haven't finished a regular season with the best record in the League overall since drafting Candace Parker, despite having season after season where the team's talent wasn't the issue. |
It wasn't the team didn't have talent they just didn't have better talent than the other teams majority the Minnesota Lynx who Candace ran into in the prime of her career |
Yep, the Lynx almost singlehandedly blocked the Sparks from #1 during the Lynx's incredible years-long run of title contention. By the same token, the Sparks knew exactly who their biggest threat was and – speaking strictly as it relates to the regular season – could never "put it together," as Parker said, to usurp them even once. At least they found enough magic in the 2016 postseason, for their sake. They've also had opportunities since 2018 (three, to be exact) during these Lynx re-tooling years to help themselves to a #1 seed, but they just haven't been able to get there. With all that historical context and the League being much more competitive at the top now than it was during most of the Lynx Dynasty years, I just can't see the Sparks winning the title or even getting a #1 seed with the core group it has now (including Kristi Toliver, whom we may or may not remember is a Spark as of last year!) – unless they're about to shake things up a bit in a way that keeps them in contention.
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Stormeo
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009
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Location: Dallas , Texas
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| Posted: 01/27/21 5:56 pm ::: |
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| I think it will big 1 before it’s all said and done unless you count Toliver and Chiney #2 & #3
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
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| Posted: 01/27/21 6:03 pm ::: |
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| WNBA 09 wrote: |
| I think it will big 1 before it’s all said and done unless you count Toliver and Chiney #2 & #3 |
Shoot. Is it too late for Toliver to go back to Washington?
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
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| Posted: 01/27/21 6:11 pm ::: |
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| WNBA 09 wrote: |
| I think it will big 1 before it’s all said and done unless you count Toliver and Chiney #2 & #3 |
That's looking like the case. The Next aka a Megdal-run operation broke the CP3-to-Chicago development, which is now unofficially true. They also broke the Chelsea Gray-to-Vegas as an "acquisition" development. (Still, that makes it sound like Vegas is gonna have to trade for Gray rather than just sign her...)
And then there's this on Ogwumike agreeing to a multi-year deal with the Sparks: https://twitter.com/RachGall/status/1354558786091024384
| Quote: |
| Sources tell @Winsidr that Sparks GM/Head Coach Derek Fisher actively encouraged Nneka to have conversations with other organizations, embracing a new era of player empowerment in the WNBA. |
Nneka was cored. Even with the Sparks' blessing, I didn't know cored players could even be allowed to talk to other teams, but I guess we know now! Really interesting. The LA Sparks' is Nneka's team (for) now...
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009
Posts: 6794
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| Posted: 01/27/21 6:18 pm ::: |
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| Stormeo wrote: |
| WNBA 09 wrote: |
| I think it will big 1 before it’s all said and done unless you count Toliver and Chiney #2 & #3 |
That's looking like the case. The Next aka a Megdal-run operation broke the CP3-to-Chicago development, which is now unofficially true. They also broke the Chelsea Gray-to-Vegas as an "acquisition" development. (Still, that makes it sound like Vegas is gonna have to trade for Gray rather than just sign her...)
And then there's this on Ogwumike agreeing to a multi-year deal with the Sparks: https://twitter.com/RachGall/status/1354558786091024384
| Quote: |
| Sources tell @Winsidr that Sparks GM/Head Coach Derek Fisher actively encouraged Nneka to have conversations with other organizations, embracing a new era of player empowerment in the WNBA. |
Nneka was cored. Even with the Sparks' blessing, I didn't know cored players could even be allowed to talk to other teams, but I guess we know now! Really interesting. The LA Sparks' is Nneka's team (for) now... |
you suggested it somewhere else but Ch. Gray and Something for Cambage could be really interesting.
Ch. Gray for Plum and something also make some sense
and if LA wants something cheaper in return so they can retain Sykes and Chiney Ch. Gray for Young and pick 12 also has potential
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
Posts: 4701
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| Posted: 01/27/21 6:59 pm ::: |
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| J-Spoon wrote: |
you suggested it somewhere else but Ch. Gray and Something for Cambage could be really interesting.
Ch. Gray for Plum and something also make some sense
and if LA wants something cheaper in return so they can retain Sykes and Chiney Ch. Gray for Young and pick 12 also has potential |
I have to think Kelsey Plum gets included in any Gray-to-Vegas trade. They play the same position, Laimbeer has always preferred bigger guards anyway, and Plum is from SoCal so she'd be receptive to returning home (if not this year, then thereafter). It should be Gray for Plum + Vegas' 2022 1RP + maybe even something else imo. Vegas may need to keep Plum if nothing else for her outside shooting ability, but I really don't think Laimbeer values that as much as he maybe should.
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009
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| Posted: 01/27/21 7:04 pm ::: |
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| Stormeo wrote: |
| J-Spoon wrote: |
you suggested it somewhere else but Ch. Gray and Something for Cambage could be really interesting.
Ch. Gray for Plum and something also make some sense
and if LA wants something cheaper in return so they can retain Sykes and Chiney Ch. Gray for Young and pick 12 also has potential |
I have to think Kelsey Plum gets included in any Gray-to-Vegas trade. They play the same position, Laimbeer has always preferred bigger guards anyway, and Plum is from SoCal so she'd be receptive to returning home (if not this year, then thereafter). It should be Gray for Plum + Vegas' 2022 1RP + maybe even something else imo. Vegas may need to keep Plum if nothing else for her outside shooting ability, but I really don't think Laimbeer values that as much as he maybe should. |
I don't disagree but Plum is kind of expensive if LA wants to free more cap space J. Young and something might make more sense
I think you can play Plum and Gray together especially if you retain Cambage
Gray, Plum, McCoughtry, Wilson and Cambage would be a sick starting line up and Gray and Plum's shooting would be needed to make that line up work
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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Location: London
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| Posted: 01/27/21 7:07 pm ::: |
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| Gray's played alongside other point guards lots of times in LA, plus being alongside Candace who does a lot of the same stuff. She's even playing alongside another pure point in Europe right now. And Laimbeer's played Plum more off the ball than he's played her on it. So I don't think the arrival of one necessarily means the exit of the other. |
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019
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| Posted: 01/27/21 7:10 pm ::: |
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| J-Spoon wrote: |
| Stormeo wrote: |
| J-Spoon wrote: |
you suggested it somewhere else but Ch. Gray and Something for Cambage could be really interesting.
Ch. Gray for Plum and something also make some sense
and if LA wants something cheaper in return so they can retain Sykes and Chiney Ch. Gray for Young and pick 12 also has potential |
I have to think Kelsey Plum gets included in any Gray-to-Vegas trade. They play the same position, Laimbeer has always preferred bigger guards anyway, and Plum is from SoCal so she'd be receptive to returning home (if not this year, then thereafter). It should be Gray for Plum + Vegas' 2022 1RP + maybe even something else imo. Vegas may need to keep Plum if nothing else for her outside shooting ability, but I really don't think Laimbeer values that as much as he maybe should. |
I don't disagree but Plum is kind of expensive if LA wants to free more cap space J. Young and something might make more sense
I think you can play Plum and Gray together especially if you retain Cambage
Gray, Plum, McCoughtry, Wilson and Cambage would be a sick starting line up and Gray and Plum's shooting would be needed to make that line up work |
It would really depend on McBride returning to Vegas. (Hell, maybe she signs with LA.) If McBride leaves, then yes Vegas for multiple reasons ought to keep Plum and trade Jackie Young instead. Otherwise, re-signing McBride would make the Aces need cap relief more than the Sparks, since the Sparks have already lost Parker.
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009
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| Posted: 01/27/21 7:12 pm ::: |
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| Stormeo wrote: |
| J-Spoon wrote: |
| Stormeo wrote: |
| J-Spoon wrote: |
you suggested it somewhere else but Ch. Gray and Something for Cambage could be really interesting.
Ch. Gray for Plum and something also make some sense
and if LA wants something cheaper in return so they can retain Sykes and Chiney Ch. Gray for Young and pick 12 also has potential |
I have to think Kelsey Plum gets included in any Gray-to-Vegas trade. They play the same position, Laimbeer has always preferred bigger guards anyway, and Plum is from SoCal so she'd be receptive to returning home (if not this year, then thereafter). It should be Gray for Plum + Vegas' 2022 1RP + maybe even something else imo. Vegas may need to keep Plum if nothing else for her outside shooting ability, but I really don't think Laimbeer values that as much as he maybe should. |
I don't disagree but Plum is kind of expensive if LA wants to free more cap space J. Young and something might make more sense
I think you can play Plum and Gray together especially if you retain Cambage
Gray, Plum, McCoughtry, Wilson and Cambage would be a sick starting line up and Gray and Plum's shooting would be needed to make that line up work |
It would really depend on McBride returning to Vegas. (Hell, maybe she signs with LA.) If McBride leaves, then yes Vegas for multiple reasons ought to keep Plum and trade Jackie Young instead. Otherwise, re-signing McBride would make the Aces need cap relief more than the Sparks, since the Sparks have already lost Parker. |
In the free agent thread Mav put up McBride to Minn it may have been a guess
but sounded more like a statement
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Stormeo
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ChicagoAnnie
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flojojr2007
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WNBA 09
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| Posted: 01/27/21 11:27 pm ::: |
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So he’s as dumb as we thought? Nneka won’t win you a title alone Fishy. With CP’s departure her buddy Gray will most likely hit the high route as well. He’d better pray he’s not losing this core for Toliver & the Ogwumikes with B.Sykes as a supporter!
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Stormeo
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