Sparks acquire veteran Thomas in trade with Sun

The Sparks began their offseason roster rebuild Monday by acquiring veteran guard Jasmine Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun.

Thomas, a 12-year veteran who played seven seasons with the Sun under new Sparks coach Curt Miller, was acquired along with the 10th overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft. The Sparks sent center Olivia NelsonOdoda, forward Jasmine Walker and the rights to guard Kianna Smith to the Sun.

Thomas has career averages of 9.6 points, 3.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals. The former Duke star was chosen 12th in the 2011 draft by Seattle before she was traded to Washington. After playing two seasons with the Mystics and two more with Atlanta, Thomas was traded to Connecticut in 2015.

Thomas, an All-Star in 2017, was selected to the WNBA all-defensive first team from 2017 to 2019. She was limited to five games last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

The Sparks now own the 10th, 14th and 26th picks in this year’s draft.

— Dan Loumena

The Sun traded forward Jonquel Jones, the 2021 WNBA most valuable player, to New York as part of a three-team deal that included Dallas. Connecticut received the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft from the Liberty as part of the trade.

Jayson Tatum scored 51 points, and the visiting Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 130-118 . ...

Ja Morant scored 29 points, and host Memphis extended its winning streak to 10 with a 136-106 victory over injurydepleted Phoenix . ...

Stephen Curry scored 41 points in Golden State’s 127-118 win at Washington . ...

Jrue Holiday had 35 points and 11 assists, and host Milwaukee beat Indiana 132-119 without Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee soreness) . ... Atlanta promoted

Kyle Korver to assistant general manager.