Sparks acquire Dearica Hamby, 2024 first-round pick from Las Vegas
The Sparks continued to revamp their roster as they acquired two-time All-Star forward Dearica Hamby and a 2024 first-round pick from Las Vegas in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B. and a 2024 second-round pick.
The trade was announced in a press release Saturday morning.
“Adding Dearica to our roster plus a future first-round pick was a solid move for us,” Sparks general manager Karen Bryant said in a statement. “We’re excited to have another key piece in place as we start free agency.”
The 6-foot-3 Hamby is coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons for the Aces. Last season, she averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds (11th in the league) per game in helping lead Las Vegas to its first WNBA championship. In her first All-Star season, she averaged 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 2021.
Hamby, 29, was also named WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020.
The eight-year veteran holds career averages of 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 242 games. She was drafted sixth overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2015 WNBA draft after setting Wake Forest records for all-time points (1,801) and rebounds (1,021).
The 6-foot-4 Zahui B. signed with the Sparks as a free agent in 2021. In her first season with the Sparks, she averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 23.8 minutes over 30 games.
The Sparks suspended the Swedish center for the 2022 season after a miscommunication about her overseas commitment.
The Sparks made their first big offseason move Monday by trading for Connecticut Sun point guard Jasmine Thomas and the 10th overall pick in April’s draft. The Sun received center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, forward Jasmine Walker and the reserved rights to guard Kianna Smith.
Saturday is the day WNBA teams can begin negotiating with free agents across the league. The Sparks’ unrestricted free agents include Nneka Ogwumike, Kristi Toliver, Chiney Ogwumike, Brittney Sykes, Jordin Canada and Lexie Brown.
Canada, a former Windward High and UCLA star, said in a recent interview with the Southern California News Group she “would love to stay” in her hometown and continue to play for the Sparks.