Lexie Brown

Brown has flashed fantasy potential since joining the Sparks in 2022, and she was on track for one of the best seasons of her career in 2023. However, she made just 12 appearances (11 starts) while dealing with a bacterial infection that required three procedures and forced her to miss significant time down the stretch. The 29-year-old was productive when on the court, averaging 12.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game, and she shot a career-best 41.5 percent on 5.4 three-point attempts per game. Brown expects to be healthy for the Athletes Unlimited season this spring, and her performance on that stage could help provide an idea of how she's doing with her conditioning ahead of the WNBA season. The Sparks didn't make many splashes in free agency but hold the second and fourth overall picks in this year's draft, so they could add a few impactful rookies. Regardless of who the Sparks draft, if Brown is deemed fully healthy, she'll likely have the chance to handle plenty of work for Los Angeles this year.

Brown re-signed with the Sparks after posting 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 25.0 minutes across 34 appearances (16 starts) last season, her first in Los Angeles. She was a solid threat from deep and shot 39.8 percent from three on 3.9 attempts per game. She'll compete with returning guard Jordin Canada, but Jasmine Thomas could also be in the mix, assuming her ACL injury that required surgery last season has healed. If Thomas misses time, Brown could also garner more usage than she did in 2022, when she finished just outside the top 50. The Sparks' losses of Katie Lou Samuelson (pregnancy) and Stephanie Talbot (knee) will also create more opportunities for Brown, who may have a chance to eclipse the top 50 if she stays healthy in 2023.