April 1, 2022
Sparks add Lexie Brown in sign and trade
Brown, who has been a capable bench scorer and defender, will compete in camp for a roster spot.
The Los Angeles Sparks continued what’s been a busy offseason for them with the acquisition of Lexie Brown on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Rachel Galligan of Just Women’s Sports, the Chicago Sky traded Brown to the Sparks in exchange for the rights to Li Yueru. Brown had been a free agent after having won the 2021 WNBA championship with the Sky, but they had re-signed her to a training camp contract.
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Heading into her fifth season in the WNBA, Brown began her career with the Connecticut Sun who traded her to the Minnesota Lynx after one season. In Minnesota, she showed the ability to be a scorer off the bench. Last season in Chicago, she gave the Sky solid depth at guard during their championship run.
With a non-guaranteed contract, Brown will come to camp looking to compete for a roster spot with the Sparks. The team has had one of the league’s best defenses the past two seasons and Brown has also shown herself to be a very capable defender. She can be a good three-point shooter too, having shot a career-best 38.5 percent in 2019 with the Lynx.
Brown most recently participated in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited where she was one of the league’s top players, showing off her all-around ability while shooting 46.9 percent from three-point range.
Brown’s addition gives the Sparks 14 players under contract with Lauren Cox and Te’a Cooper also on training camp contracts. Teams are allowed a maximum of 15 players on the roster for training camp which they have to cut down to 12 by the start of the season.
The move gives the Sparks quite a few options at guard with veteran Kristi Toliver and newcomer Jordan Canada already in the mix. They also have defensive ace Brittney Sykes who can slide between shooting guard and small forward, and Chennedy Carter who can do the same.
The Sparks will tip off the 2022 season on the road on May 6 against the Sky.
Written by David Mendez-Yapkowitz
David has been with The Next team since the High Post Hoops days when he joined the staff in 2018. He is based in Los Angeles and covers the LA Sparks, Pac-12 Conference, Big West Conference and some high school as well.
