The Sparks make an intriguing roster ahead of WNBA free agency

in 2025 VNBA free agency The period officially began this weekend with teams being able to extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents as well as certain core designations to players. Several moves have already been made with Las Vegas Aces leadoff hitter Kelsey Plum and the The New York Liberty were expected to be Breana Stewart’s core. The Los Angeles Sparks also made a key move on the list before the main part of the VNBA free agency period, according to VNBA transactions.

The Sparks’ roster move ahead of the 2025 VNBA free agency period was to place Julie Allemand on the active list.

The Sparks originally acquired Allemand in a trade with the Chicago Skies ahead of the 2024 VNBA season. Allemand did not suit up for the Sparks last year as she remained overseas rehabbing an ankle injury she suffered in the offseason. The injury also forced Allemand to withdraw from Belgium’s 2024 Paris Olympics squad.

The news is welcome for the Sparks, who suspended Allemand’s contract for last season. That was the deal with Sky, as Allemand was a free agent. The Sparks also acquired Lee Yueru and a 2025 third-round draft pick.

Julie Allemand as Sparks’ point guard

One of the Sparks’ most pressing needs heading into the 2025 season is consistent and strong point guard play. With the Dallas Wings receiving the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Sparks likely won’t get a chance to select UConn star Paige Bookers to address their point guard woes.

Therefore, Allemand is crucial for the upcoming season, if she fully recovers from her ankle injury. She has not played in the VNBA since the 2022 season when she played in 25 games for the Sky. She averaged 3.0 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 29 percent from the three-point line and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.

Allemand was originally selected by the Indiana Fever with the 33rd overall pick in the 2016 VNBA Draft. She did not make her VNBA debut until the 2020 season when she was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team. She averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals.

Allemand was a starter for the Fever, but moved to the bench when she was traded to the Sky. In the 2023 season, she stopped focusing on her duties with the Belgian national team.

David Iapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, covering men’s and women’s NBA, WNBA and NCAA basketball news. The Los Angeles native has op-eds with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Next Hoops.