The Las Vegas Aces traded Dearica Hamby to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, a somewhat surprising move that removes a core player from the Aces’ 2022 WNBA championship team who had recently signed a contract extension through 2024.
The Sparks also receive the Aces’ 2024 first-round pick in exchange for the negotiating rights to Amanda Zahui B., and the Sparks’ 2024 second-round pick.
Hamby spent her entire career with the Las Vegas Aces/San Antonio Stars’ organization since being drafted from Wake Forest in 2015 and has been an All-Star the past two seasons. She was named WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
She has career averages of 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 85 starts.
“Dearica has dedicated eight years of her career to this organization, and played a big role in our success since the team moved to Las Vegas,” Aces general manager Natalie Williams said in a statement. “We’re going to miss her as a teammate, and are grateful for all of her contributions to the Aces over the years.”
Sparks general manager Karen Bryant said, “Adding Dearica to our roster plus a future first-round pick was a solid move for us. We’re excited to have another key piece in place as we start free agency.”
In June, the Aces announced the had signed Hamby to a two-year contract extension. But there were signs that something might be amiss this week when Hamby — who during the Aces’ victory parade announced she is pregnant — tweeted, “Imagine expressing your fears as a woman and being pregnant in this profession/world…. Then to be reassured that you were supported.. and your back was “had”…. only to then be used against you.”
The Sparks — who have a new coach in Curt Miller and GM in Bryant — have made big moves via trade this offseason, bringing in veteran point guard Jasmine Thomas this week from Connecticut.