Stephanie Talbot

Talbot signed a two-year contract with the Sparks ahead of the 2023 season but didn't make her team debut last year since she sustained a torn ACL while playing overseas. However, she returned to action in Australia this winter and should be ready to play in the WNBA in 2024. Talbot has operated primarily as a bench option over her last four seasons in the WNBA, and she averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game over 34 appearances (one start) with Seattle in 2022. The Sparks have a major hole in the frontcourt after losing Nneka Ogwumike via free agency during the offseason. However, the team has two of the top four picks in this year's draft and is widely expected to select center Cameron Brink at No. 2 overall, especially if Caitlin Clark is available for the Fever at No. 1. Talbot should compete for consistent playing time, but she's had more value as a streaming candidate than as a season-long option over her first five seasons in the WNBA.

Talbot re-signed with the Storm this offseason, shoring up the depth in the team's rotation, which has only gotten stronger with the additions of Briann January via free agency and Gabby Williams via trade from Los Angeles. However, those two additions will essentially come out in the wash as far as workloads go, with the team trading Katie Lou Samuelson to the Sparks and allowing Jordin Canada to walk in free agency. That could position Talbot for a similar role to 2021 when she racked up 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 17.9 minutes per game.