The WNBA draft lottery is officially in the books, with the top four picks now assigned to the participating teams. On paper, the Los Angeles Sparks had the best shot at securing the coveted top pick. However, it was the Dallas Wings who emerged victorious, leveraging a slight edge in the odds—thanks in part to the trade of Marina Mabrey to the Chicago Sky. Now, as the Wings will potentially add projected No.1 pick Paige Bueckers to their roster, the Sparks’ misfortune in the lottery may linger longer than just the lost spot.

The Los Angeles Sparks, coming off their worst season in franchise history, had a 44.2% chance of landing the top pick in the WNBA draft lottery. However, the Dallas Wings held a slight advantage, thanks to their trade of Marina Mabrey to the Chicago Sky last year. This trade allowed the Wings to combine their odds with the Sky’s, giving them a 45.4% chance. When the lottery results were revealed, it was Dallas who secured the No. 1 pick, leaving the Sparks to settle for the second spot.

But now, even if a second spot could have held hopes of drafting Bueckers in case no.1 team passed on, it seems particularly bleak for the Sparks. Why? The team’s former coach, Curt Miller, who was fired after 2 poor seasons with the franchise, went on to be the GM for the Wings. He knows the need for Paige Bueckers and he is going to grab onto the opportunity. Miller also seems to have hinted at the turn tables.

“Let’s Go!” he wrote on X alongside a GIF that reads, “How do you like them apples?” 

Though the Wings are currently without a head coach, it’s almost certain that management will move quickly to fill the position. With Miller’s experience and vision, he could play a pivotal role in integrating Bueckers into their game plan, something the Sparks may watch with a sense of disappointment.

Curt Miller’s tumultuous tenure with the Los Angeles Sparks

Curt Miller took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023, leading the team for two seasons. In his first year, he brought the team to the brink of a playoff spot, finishing with a respectable 17-23 record. However, the following season, the Sparks struggled, posting a disappointing 8-32 record. This poor performance led to Miller’s departure, as the team announced his exit in a statement from Eric Holoman, the Sparks’ governing and managing partner.

In a statement released by Holoman, the Sparks’ governing and managing partner, he expressed gratitude toward Coach Miller: “On behalf of our ownership group and franchise, I would like to thank Coach Miller for his passion and commitment to the Sparks organization these past two seasons. We wish him well moving forward.”

Despite his dedication, Miller faced significant struggles during his tenure with the Sparks, as the team finished with a tough overall record of 25-55. Injuries were a major hurdle, further hindering the team’s ability to find its rhythm and perform at a high level.

As the Sparks move forward, they must reflect on the missed opportunity and what could have been, while the Wings look to capitalize on their new assets and Miller’s leadership for a brighter future.