Team executes two roster adjustments before the onset of the 2025 WNBA season
Getting Ready for the Showdown: WNBA Roster Shuffle Before Season Kickoff
With the 2025 WNBA season starting this Friday, teams are scrambling to reduce their rosters to either 11 or 12 players. Surprising cuts have been made, even including draft picks, as teams look to perfect their compositions ahead of the May 16 season opener against the Golden State Valkyries for the Los Angeles Sparks.
In the recent roster shakeup, the Sparks said goodbye to Aari McDonald and Masha Kliundikova. With these cuts, the Sparks' roster stands at 13 players, leaving one more cut to be made before the May 15 deadline.
During Sparks' media day, General Manager Raegan Pebley discussed the decision-making process behind the potential cuts. "We were intentional in not having as big of a roster as we could have," said Pebley, "It's so fast, this isn't a practice league, and we won't get this time back. We still needed to see what people could do."
Draftees and Injuries
The failure of Haley Jones, drafted sixth overall in 2023, to make an impact on the Atlanta Dream resulted in her release before the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Makayla Timpson, the Fever's first pick at No. 19 overall in 2025, managed to secure a spot on the final roster despite facing challenges from veterans like Jaelyn Brown who were eventually waived.
Injuries have played a role in roster decisions, as Cameran Brink, who is expected to return to the court for the Sparks, is not slated to return until June. And with a stacked frontcourt, Kliundikova's chances of making the team were slim.
Guard-Heap at the Sparks
With the return of All-Star Kelsey Plum, the re-signing of Odyssey Sims, and the addition of Julie Allemand and Shaneice Swain, Aari McDonald found herself facing an uphill battle to make the Sparks' final roster due to the abundance of guards.
Allemand joined the Sparks in a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Sky last offseason, but sat out the year after suffering an injury while playing overseas. She's currently rehabbing from her injury with the Sparks. Meanwhile, Shaneice Swain, drafted by the Sparks in 2023, has been playing in Australia until now.
In the Walmart Yahoo Fantasy Basketball 2025 WNBA Power Rankings, the Los Angeles Sparks are currently ranked at No. 6, traiting fans to an exciting season ahead. Get ready for some intense hoops action as the season unfolds!
The draft pick Haley Jones, who failed to make an impact on the Atlanta Dream, was released before the 2025 season began. On the other hand, Makayla Timpson, the Fever's first pick at No. 19 overall in 2025, managed to secure a spot on the final roster despite stiff competition from veterans.
In the case of the Los Angeles Sparks, the re-signing of Odyssey Sims, the addition of Julie Allemand and Shaneice Swain, and the return of All-Star Kelsey Plum left Aari McDonald facing an uphill battle to make the team due to the abundance of guards.
Although Masha Kliundikova's chances of making the team were slim due to a stacked frontcourt, injuries have also played a role in roster decisions, with Kliundikova's return expected in June.
