The Los Angeles Sparks could make the playoffs for the first time since 2020 if they win the upcoming draft lottery. After finishing with the worst record at 8-32 in 2024, they have the highest odds to land the top pick in the draft. In a class highlighted by UConn star Paige Bueckers (Beck-ERS), the Sparks have the best chance to add their new franchise point guard. Even though they are still searching for a head coach, L.A. has the pieces to go from the worst team to a playoff team next season.

The Sparks had two picks in the top five of last year’s draft, which they used on forwards Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. A proven defensive anchor in the paint, Brink’s rookie season was cut short after she suffered a torn ACL on June 18th. In 15 games, she averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game. Even though Brink was injured for most of the season, she ranked second in blocks per game behind the reigning MVP, A’ja Wilson. Jackson had an impressive rookie season, averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Both Brink and Jackson will look to improve in their second season and learn even more from the veterans around them.

L.A. is led by former WNBA champion Dearica Hamby, who flourished in her second season with the team. She had an All-Star caliber season, averaging 17.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, all career-highs. The Sparks have many veterans on their team who have won championships elsewhere in the league. Another one of those players is Azurá Stevens (Ah-zer-A), who will look to return to the top of the mantle sooner rather than later. Last season she averaged 9.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. Another veteran, Kia Nurse, impressed in her first year with L.A. after being traded from Seattle before the draft. She averaged 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Nurse played a huge role for the Sparks, but they could select her fellow alumni who would greatly improve them.

Collegiately, Bueckers has guided her team closer than anyone could get without a championship. Her resume is as loaded as any other, but the one desire to complete it is a title at the end of the season. In her career thus far, she has averaged 19.8 points, and 4.5 assists, while shooting an efficient 42.5% from three-point land. Bueckers’ career has been anything but perfect, but she has proven her resilience even through catastrophic injuries.

In 2021, Bueckers suffered a tibial plateau fracture, and torn meniscus in a blowout win against Notre Dame. After a rigorous recovery, she finished the season with a trip to the Final Four, losing to South Carolina 64-49. In an offseason summer scrimmage in 2022, Bueckers suffered a torn ACL. She used her COVID-eligible season, but her passion for the game never wavered. After recovering from another injury, Bueckers led her team to the Final Four, where they fell to Iowa 71-69. Last season she averaged 21.9 points, 3.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. As the undoubted number one pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, Bueckers’ college success proves she can succeed in the pros and help end a playoff drought of a rebuilding team like the Sparks.

The draft lottery is decided using the four worst teams and their combined record over the last two seasons. With a combined 25-55 record, L.A. has the highest chance of landing the top pick. The next highest odds are the Dallas Wings, who own two picks in the lottery due to a prior trade with the Chicago Sky. Individually, they have a 27.6% chance to select number one, but combined with the Sky’s pick, they have a 45.4% chance, according to Tankathon. The Sparks do have a lower percentage (44.2%) than Dallas if the combination of Chicago’s pick is considered, so time will tell if the odds are in their favor. The lottery results will be revealed on Sunday, November 17th at 5 PM EST on ESPN.