Clarendon was a good player for LA last year, yes. that said:
1) Clarendon was already an established player in Atlanta. that didn’t prevent them from becoming an on-and-off player soon after they went to a different team (New York, Minnesota). ergo, historical precedence. 2) we can probably all agree that Clarendon got a lower than expected monetary deal, one that was also not guaranteed. i’m not sure what that signals, so i just can’t rule out that the Sparks didn’t necessarily hate the idea of letting Clarendon walk in the first place, and would only re-sign them on the team’s terms. 3) priorities were different for the organization last year. the Sparks were initially trying to contend; now it seems they aren’t. that might then change how the front office goes about the final roster construction.
Hi, Stormeo. If I remember correctly, Clarendon was cut cut by New York one year after they acquired Sabrina Ionescu, largely because the Liberty had decided to turn over the operation of the offense to a player widely regarded as one of the best guard prospects in years. The Lynx cut Layshia only because she was injured and unable to play, and because they needed the cap space to sign a replacement PG for Fowles' final run at a championship. I am not at all sure that the situation in LA is comparable.
The Jordan Canada/Aari McDonald trade occurred on Feb. 1st, the same day the Sparks re-signed Clarendon, so that LA certainly knew that they would be acquiring McDonalds' services before they inked a two-year deal with Layshia. They also knew, well before the time that Layshia was re-signed, that Nneka would be leaving, since Nneka made a public announcement of her intention to do so on January 24th. That means that, when Clarendon was re-signed, the Sparks already knew they would be going into rebuild mode and also knew that McDonald would be available to help out in the backcourt.
The only thing that has changed since Clarendon first re-signed with the Sparks is that they have shipped off the number 8 pick for Allemand rather than using it to acquire a PG prospect in the draft. Allemand is certainly far more experienced than any PG whom the Sparks could have acquired in the draft and is thus much less in need of any tutelage that Clarendon could provide on how to operate an offense. Still, having rewarded Layshia for her play last year with a two-year contract at $100,000 per year, I definitely see the Sparks as standing by her and not as cutting her at the end of training camp for a marginal prospect like Zia Cooke. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the way I see things.
i think there’s a better chance than not that Clarendon makes the roster. i’m just saying i don’t consider it a foregone conclusion, nor that i would be shocked if it happened. not much surprises me about the things that happen within this league anymore – pretty much seen it all.