The Los Angeles Sparks were stoked when they landed the top-five lottery picks in this year’s WNBA draft. Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, the second and fourth overall picks, have also responded with the same enthusiasm. They had the task of rebuilding their team as the Curt Miller-coached team was placed at the 9th spot in the rankings last season. However, just into his second season as the head coach of the Sparks, Miller seems to have failed miserably.

The Sparks after Brink’s injury were having a difficult season, which has aggravated with their loss against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. As of now, the Western Conference team has an abysmal 7-28 tally and is placed at the 12th position in the WNBA rankings. Notably, they are the first team this season to fall out of the playoff contention. Many say this has also resulted in the West Coast-based franchise securing a top berth in the 2025 WNBA draft. Hence, fans are curious to know if the Sparks will land the UConn Husky star Paige Bueckers.

Paige Bueckers to go to Los Angeles Sparks as per a viral tweet

According to Alexa Philippou’s tweet on Sunday, the Sparks’ 79-67 defeat against the Sun now gives them the chance to land the top pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. The draft is based on the 2023 and 2024 record and the top team to secure the overall number one pick will have a lottery chance of 44.2%. As mentioned before, the Sparks stood at the ninth spot in the 2023 WNBA rankings. Currently, they occupy the last position.

Philippou further continues that irrespective of the lottery results they are guaranteed a top three pick. This increases their chances of landing Bueckers, who many have projected as the numero uno pick in the WNBA mock drafts. The 2021 AP Player of the Year as per some analysts could have challenged Caitlin Clark’s claim to the top spot in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, Geno Auriemma’s-mentee decided to give her dream of winning the NCAA championship one more go.

“She’s definitely the frontrunner, so to speak,” 247Sports expert Brandon Clay has opined as per CBS Sports. Known for her versatility, Bueckers could not play the 2022-23 season after she tore her ACL while playing pickup basketball at the Worth Center. Therefore, fans and analysts are concerned that she might, unfortunately, land outside the hardwood because of her history of injuries. However, if all goes well, she will be the number one pick. But the Sparks drafting her also depends on one more condition.

Can the Los Angeles Sparks get the top pick?

The WNBA last had a Northern California team — the Sacramento Monarchs — that was operational till 2009. On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors owner, Joe Lacob, had previously owned a Bay Area team in the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1998. It was reported as the last women’s basketball team from the area. Thus, when Lacob got the opportunity to start a Northern California team which would be the sister franchise of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, he instantly agreed. The Valkyries will be operational from the 2025 WNBA season onwards.

Although the 2025 WNBA draft specifies the procedure for the 12 WNBA teams, it doesn’t do so for the expansion franchise. So, if the 2025 WNBA draft proceeds as per the set rules, then Bueckers, who might be the top pick, can get herself a deal in the Big Orange. However, if the Valkyries enter the game, it will be interesting to see the new draft positions of the teams. This has led to some predicting that the Minnesota-born might get a chance with the Bay Area team, especially after she has been spotted multiple times in her favorite lavender-purple colorway, which the Valkyries share.

Though Bueckers has laughed off such rumors, only time will tell if the Sparks will draft her. The only condition is that Bueckers goes number one and the Sparks, much like Philippou’s prediction, get a chance to draft the top pick. However, it will be quite interesting to see which position lands with the expansion franchise Valkyries.