Sparks blend in Coffey to roster
Forward acquisition is latest to join retooled team as Fisher looks forward to ‘new era.’
As the Sparks head into their 25th season in the WNBA, the bar is high for one of the league’s original franchises: bring home a fourth title.
On Thursday, head coach and general manager Derek Fisher offered his assessment of the busy free agency period and how he envisions the pieces fitting together.
“We know it’s professional sports and there are some givens, but what’s great about this group and what’s been great about this free agency process is that every player we’ve spoken to wants to be a part of what we’re doing, they understand what we’re trying to create and they’re ready to come in and compete.”
Earlier in the day, the Sparks announced the signing of 6-foot-1 forward Nia Coffey, who is entering her fifth year in the league and played in the 2020 WNBA bubble with the Phoenix Mercury. She has started 18 of her 98 games and is a 35% shooter from threepoint range.
She was picked fifth in the 2017 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars. Her father, Richard, played in the NBA and brother Amir is a current player with the Clippers.
“Nia Coffey gives us additional athleticism, youth and versatility on the wing,” Fisher said. “She has shown the ability to make outside shots, attack the basket and defend multiple positions. We’re excited to have her join our group and compete.”
Previous roster additions in free agency were Erica Wheeler, Bria Holmes and Amanda Zahui B. The Sparks also deepened the roster by re-signing sisters Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, Brittney Sykes, Te’a Cooper and Seimone Augustus.
“Our frontcourt starts with Nneka,” Fisher said. “We made the important decision to have a conversation with her about what the future of this organization would look like and how we saw her fitting into it and us fitting into her vision.
“We’re also excited to see Maria Vadeeva probably closer to the second half of the season this year. Chiney and Amanda were great additions and with a young developing player in Kristine Anigwe, we definitely have a lot of directions we can go up front.”
Fisher predicts players will have to compete for everything in training camp.
“Unless things change with Maria we would have the opportunity to have a 16th player when camp starts, which could be our 10th pick in the draft or our second-round pick at 22,” Fisher said. “It depends on how many things happen over the next month or month and a half.
“We were very intentional about the players that we’re adding. Not to mention a player like Kristi Toliver who will be in camp. We haven’t had a chance to see her, at least in uniform, since she re-signed with us before the 2020 season. Training camp is going to be different . ... It’s a new era of Sparks basketball, we’re moving in a different direction and everyone’s looking forward to the journey.”
Though Fisher is sad to see stars Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray leave, he described the meetings with them as “positive” and wished them success.
Fisher is optimistic about the direction the team is going and claimed the ownership group is as engaged as it’s ever been. He is embracing the added role of general manager but recognizes that it is a yearround commitment.
“I intentionally signed up for it because this team has been in L.A. for 25 years and it’s as accomplished as any professional sports team can be in that time period in terms of the championships won and the number of playoff appearances,” Fisher said. “We’ve tried to build a team that will physically be able to sustain the pace we want to play at.”