Editing Los Angeles Sparks (section)

=== 2021–present: Post-Parker playoff drought ===
Before the 2021 season, both Parker and Gray left the team in free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klopfer |first=Brady |date=2021-01-29 |title=Why did Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray leave the Sparks? |url=https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/1/29/22256529/los-angeles-sparks-candace-parker-chelsea-gray |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Silver Screen and Roll |language=en}}</ref> The Sparks failed to make playoffs for the first time since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season Recap: Sparks Remain #RootedInLA In 2021 |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/season-recap-sparks-remain-rootedinla-in-2021 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=sparks.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref>

On June 7, 2022, the Sparks and Fisher parted ways as head coach and general manager after the team started the year 5-7, despite the acquisition of [[Liz Cambage]]. Fisher went 54-46 as head coach during his Sparks tenure.<ref>{{cite web |title=LA Sparks Part Ways with General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/la-sparks-part-ways-with-general-manager-head-coach-derek-fisher/ |website=sparks.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> [[Fred Williams (basketball, born 1957)|Fred Williams]] took over as interim head coach, but the Sparks ultimately missed the playoffs once again.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruby |first=Emma |date=2022-08-16 |title=WNBA season in review: Los Angeles Sparks need 'harsh reset' |url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/wnba-los-angeles-sparks-season-review-reset/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Just Women's Sports |language=en}}</ref>

For the 2023 season, [[Curt Miller]] was named the new head coach, and [[Karen Bryant]] was named the new general manager.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=2023 WNBA Free Agency: Sparks GM Karen Bryant, Coach Curt Miller seeking 'sustainable success' |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2023/01/04/2023-wnba-free-agency-sparks-gm-karen-bryant-and-coach-curt-miller-excited-to-build-sustainable-success/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> The Sparks missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, marking the first time in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Edwin |date=2023-09-15 |title=2022-23 Sparks Season in Review: the good, the bad and the ugly |url=https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2023/9/15/23872739/wnba-news-los-angeles-sparks-season-in-review-nneka-ogwumike-curt-miller |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Silver Screen and Roll |language=en}}</ref> They received the second overall pick in the draft lottery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2023-12-11 |title=Sparks use lottery luck to move up to No. 2 |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/sparks-use-lottery-luck-to-move-up-to-no-2/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref>

Before the 2024 season, [[Raegan Pebley]] was named the new general manager,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Sparks Name Raegan Pebley General Manager |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/los-angeles-sparks-name-raegan-pebley-general-manager |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=sparks.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref> while Nneka Ogwumike, the last remaining player from the 2016 championship team, departed the Sparks in free agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2024-01-25 |title=Where do Sparks go after losing Nneka Ogwumike in free agency? |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/where-do-the-sparks-go-after-losing-nneka-ogwumike-in-free-agency/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref> Through trades, the Sparks acquired the fourth pick in the [[2024 WNBA draft]] and, with their two lottery picks, selected [[Cameron Brink]] and [[Rickea Jackson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez-Yapkowitz |first=David |date=2024-04-16 |title=Sparks land talented duo with WNBA Draft lottery picks |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/los-angeles-sparks/sparks-land-talented-duo-with-wnba-draft-lottery-picks/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}</ref> The Sparks finished the season with the league's worst record and subsequently parted ways with Miller.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-24 |title=Miller out as Sparks head coach after two seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41424838/curt-miller-head-coach-wnba-sparks-2-seasons |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Following the season, the Sparks once again received the second overall pick in the draft lottery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Royer |first=Benjamin |date=2024-11-18 |title=Sparks miss out on No. 1 draft pick, landing again at second |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sparks/story/2024-11-17/los-angeles-sparks-wnba-draft-lottery-dallas-wing-top-pick |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

On November 19, 2024, [[Lynne Roberts (basketball)|Lynne Roberts]] was announced as the new head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Sparks hire Utah's Roberts as new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42493980/sparks-hire-utah-lynne-roberts-new-head-coach |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Before the [[2025 Los Angeles Sparks season|2025 season]], the Sparks traded away their second overall pick and acquired [[Kelsey Plum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sparks Acquire Three-Time All-Star Kelsey Plum |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/sparks-acquire-kelsey-plum |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=www.wnba.com |language=en}}</ref>