10 WNBA trade candidates to close the 2025 season's June slate
The WNBA season is roughly a third of the way over, meaning that we might start seeing some real trade action leading up to July's 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
While the biggest trades will likely fall after the All-Star Game and before the Aug. 7 trade deadline, we may still see some contending teams looking to get ahead of the market and add some veteran talent to the roster.
While all of these 10 players could stick where they are for the rest of the year, we still think they all at least have somewhat of a chance of getting moved before the beginning of August.
Let's look at these WNBA players and analyze why they could be traded this summer.
Wings G Arike Ogunbowale
Guard Paige Bueckers is the future of the Dallas Wings; there is no denying that. Ogunbowale was long the pillar that kept Dallas upright, but she will hit free agency in 2026. At 4-13, this Wings team may well miss the WNBA playoffs unless they experience a second-half surge behind Bueckers' improving play. Even so, the Wings might be wise to trade Ogunbowale now and snag an additional first-round pick for 2026. She's averaging 16.9 points this season and could provide a contender a bona fide starter (or an absolutely lethal sixth player off the bench) with relatively elite scoring ability.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Minnesota, Golden State, Seattle
Sun C Tina Charles
The Sun are firmly looking ahead, and Charles is 36 and not likely to be in the team's plans. While she is their leading scorer, a contending team needing a big might be willing to part with a first-round pick to secure Charles for a title run. Even if the Sun can only get a second-round pick and a player back, trading Charles before she likely leaves in 2026 free agency might be in the franchise's best long-term interests. She could either start for a team needing size and scoring or come off the bench as a valued reserve in the lineup.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Seattle, Las Vegas
Sky C Kamilla Cardoso
The Sky are in a tricky spot with Cardoso. She and superstar forward Angel Reese were always a strange fit together as fellow 2024 WNBA Draft first-rounders, and Chicago needs more shooting offense long-term to compliment what Reese does so well in the paint. Cardoso would benefit going to a team where she is the primary big in the lineup and take some of the duties Reese excels in with another team. The Sky don't have one of their first-round picks in 2026, but trading Cardoso would get the team back to two first rounders.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Golden State, Seattle
Sky G Ariel Atkins
The Sky have a very solid veteran guard in Atkins, and the team gave up a 2025 first-round pick to acquire her. However, Chicago has struggled this season, and Atkins is a 2026 free agent. The Sky could always re-sign her, but flipping her now and getting an additional 2026 first-round pick back might be prudent. Sure, it would signal a whiff that cost the team premium draft capital this past spring. It might be worth it in the long haul.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Seattle, Golden State, Atlanta
Wings G DiJonai Carrington
Carrington came over to Dallas from Connecticut in the offseason, but she is another Wings veteran on our list destined for 2026 free agency. Putting even more on Bueckers' plate might not be the best thing for Dallas in the interim, but loading up on draft capital or perhaps a player on a rookie contract might be in the team's best long-term interests. Carrington's overall skillset could be appealing for a playoff contender.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Golden State, Seattle, Atlanta
Sparks F Dearica Hamby
Hamby might come as a surprise on this list, but the Sparks' season has been mired in injuries and uninspired play outside of a few flash points. With Hamby a pending free agent, perhaps Los Angeles would try to reacquire a 2026 first-round pick and send Hamby to a team that needs someone who can thrive in the paint and help with rebounds. She's a marquee name that could probably fetch a nifty trade package for L.A.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Golden State, Seattle
Mystics C Stefanie Dolson
Dolson is another pending free agent on our list, and her selected usage in Washington makes us wonder if she might be available via trade. Any team needing a veteran big to take minutes off the bench particular might be thrilled to add her at this point in the season. The Mystics could probably get a second rounder back.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Minnesota, Las Vegas
Dream G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Walker-Kimbrough came over as one of the big free agent additions for Atlanta this offseason, but she's struggled to find minutes this season. Any team looking for a veteran guard to come off the bench could do a lot worse than to send a 2026 draft pick and/or a player to the Dream and secure Walker-Kimbrough for the rest of the season.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Phoenix, Seattle, Golden State
Wings C Teaira McCowan
McCowan is the third Wings player on our list, and she might be a popular trade candidate for teams needing more of a presence in the post. Her rebounding is still very solid, and she's only played in nine games for Dallas this season. For a non-first 2026 WNBA Draft pick, McCowan could be a nice boost for a contender.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Golden State, Minnesota
Wings F Myisha Hines-Allen
The fourth Wings player on our list is Hines-Allen, another pending free agent who could come off the bench and provide size and rebounding to any contending team. She's not a prolific scorer, but she's useful on defense and in making sure your team can snag defensive rebounds in particular. She's got lots to offer.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES: Indiana, Las Vegas, Seattle
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Candace Parker: From top prospect to WNBA champion with three teams
Candace Parker hoists the trophy as the Sparks celebrate their 2016 WNBA championship with fans at L.A. Live. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) In 2000, whispers of a 13-year-old phenom from Naperville, Ill. — a Chicago suburb — began reverberating through the AAU circuit. Generational. Dominant. Striking. Perhaps the greatest women's basketball prospect ever. Candace Parker's name rang out far beyond her hometown. Word soon reached every elite college basketball program in the country — from Durham, N.C., to College Park, Md., to Knoxville, Tenn. — each clamoring for her talents. Few truly stood a chance. Advertisement 'Her game at such an early age was something I had never seen in person,' said Nikki Fargas, then an assistant coach at Tennessee. 'To see her do it so young tells you a lot. … She was undeniable, and her presence was felt.' Long before Parker's illustrious professional career and her Sparks jersey retirement ceremony Sunday — three championships, two MVPs, rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, Finals MVP, two Olympic golds, seven All-Star nods and 10 All-WNBA selections — she was simply 'Ace,' a sweatband-wearing, bob-cut sporting teenager set to graduate. Fargas, who won a national title under legendary coach Pat Summitt, was Tennessee's recruiting director in 2003 and was looking to make a splash with her first class. The moment she saw Parker in person, she was certain: Parker would be a Lady Vol. By her senior year in high school, Parker had grown into a 6-foot-4 national player of the year and state champion. Candace Parker was considered one of the top college recruits while at Naperville Central High in a suburb outside of Chicago. (Anne Ryan / Associated Press) Fargas attended all of Parker's games at Naperville Central High, a nearly 1,100-mile round trip. She sat in the Redhawks' gym bleachers, decked out in Tennessee orange while sending a not-so-subtle message, often with Summitt by her side. Advertisement Fargas made her final pitch clear and direct: Parker could become the greatest under Summitt. Joining Rocky Top On Nov. 11, 2003, at the start of her senior year, Parker committed to Tennessee live on ESPNews — the first women's basketball player to commit on national TV. Parker later told ESPN , 'I wanted to be a professional basketball player. I loved that Knoxville was centered around women's basketball.' 'Candace is the most versatile 6-foot-3 player at this stage of her game that I've ever seen,' Summitt said in a Tennessee news release announcing Parker's signing a letter of intent. 'She can play every position on the floor, from point guard to post, … Truly a great inside-outside player. … The total package.' Advertisement Parker's arrival sent a jolt through Rocky Top. At just 18, she brought weighty expectations — it was championship or bust. For several years, it had been bust for Tennessee, which hadn't won a national title since the late '90s. After missing her freshman year because of a knee injury, Parker proved to be better than advertised, propelling the Lady Vols back onto the national stage. 'Even in college, not only did she dunk, but she was able to pass, able to shoot at her position, able to do things that bigs weren't doing,' said Noelle Quinn, a former Southland prep star and head coach of the Seattle Storm. 'It was easy for Candace. It was easy for that team.' Tennessee coach Pat Summitt gives instructions to Candace Parker during the 2007 NCAA title game against Rutgers. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press) Quinn experienced the Summitt-Parker era firsthand. In 2006, she led UCLA into an early-season clash on the road against No. 1 Tennessee — the start of Parker's first title run. Advertisement 'It was an amazing environment to play in — a game I'll never forget,' Quinn recalled. Parker and Quinn led their teams in scoring — Parker with 22 points, Quinn with 20. Tennessee's dominance with Parker at the helm was clear, Quinn said. At the height of the team's back-to-back championship runs, Fargas said traveling with the Lady Vols 'was like traveling with rock stars.' Summitt's fearless approach — taking on anyone, anywhere — kept Tennessee in the spotlight, with Parker as the undisputed headliner. 'What we're seeing right now with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark — bringing awareness, getting people to watch and increasing attendance — Parker was doing that already,' Fargas said. 'Fans would be lined up at our hotel. Our bus would pull up and there were the fans.' By the end of her college career, Parker had accomplished everything — two-time AP player of the year, 2008 Naismith college player of the year, and most outstanding player during both national title runs — the last of which was Summitt's final championship. Advertisement 'She fits in at the top,' Fargas said of Parker's place in program history. 'When you talk about Lady Vols, Parker is maybe the first of the names people talk about. … She was different.' Big L.A. dreams Parker was arguably the WNBA's most anticipated prospect — a franchise-altering talent. Yet one question loomed: Who would land her? In 2006, the Sparks were in championship contention, reaching the conference finals with MVP Lisa Leslie. But when Leslie missed the following season on maternity leave, the team plummeted to 10–24 — tied for worst in the league. With a 34.1% chance at the No. 1 pick, the pingpong balls bounced the Sparks' way. Candace Parker, left, and Lisa Leslie crack jokes as they check their height at a Sparks photo shoot in 2008. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) Questions swirled about how Parker and Leslie would coexist. Leslie says she never saw a problem — only potential. She called herself 'Smooth' and Parker 'Silk,' and welcomed the role of hardening the rookie, likening it to 'having another baby.' Advertisement For a time, Leslie lived a few floors from Parker in the team's player housing, keeping tabs on Parker's habits. She'd make her oatmeal and slice up fruit because Parker 'wouldn't eat well,' gently pushing through rookie stubbornness toward authority, nudging her toward the weight room and stressing the importance of body maintenance. The wisdom of one MVP — and the freedom granted by Sparks coach Michael Cooper — helped ignite the greatest rookie season in WNBA history. Parker captured both rookie of the year and MVP honors, joining an exclusive club with NBA legends Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld. 'Candace always showed greatness,' Leslie said. 'Each generation, we've done our part. You carry that torch as far as you can, and hand it off with grace.' The torch was Parker's to bear into the next decade. But nine seasons in, she was still chasing her first Finals appearance, let alone a championship. Years of coaching changes, early playoff exits and unmet expectations had left the franchise — and its star — without a title. Advertisement Brian Agler's first year as Sparks head coach started rocky with a 3–14 record, as Parker sat out the first half of the 2015 season after playing overseas. As the losses mounted, Parker prepared for a return and called Agler to arrange a closed workout. 'I think she wanted to play into me as, 'OK, I'm gonna come back and get ready,'' Agler said. 'But in reality, she was sort of measuring me up.' Agler believed it was a test to see whether she thought he was the right fit — if he could lead the team to a championship, just as he had done with the Seattle Storm in 2010. Sparks forward Candace Parker drives past Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson during a game in 2012. (Stacy Bengs / Associated Press) By the following season, with the pieces in play, contending for a championship seemed within reach. But the 2016 season wasn't without turmoil for Parker. She was surprisingly left off the USA Olympic team, faced marital strife and mourned the loss of Summitt, who died of complications from Alzheimer's. Advertisement On the court, Parker remained a force, and helped foster the rise of one of the league's best — former No. 1 overall pick and MVP Nneka Ogwumike. Like Leslie had done for her, Parker took Ogwumike under her wing. 'For the most part, I was someone who paid attention to what vets did, and I spent a lot of time watching what she did,' Ogwumike said of Parker. 'She helped me understand [the game] from a different lens, from a more advanced perspective coming in from college. We were able to develop some great chemistry.' Agler said their connection 'was as special as I've seen,' adding that Ogwumike 'probably understood Candace better than most anybody.' In Parker's first WNBA Finals, she led the Sparks through a dramatic series against the Lynx, capped by a 28-point and 12-rebound performance in Game 5 to secure the title and Finals MVP. Advertisement Through tears, she found the only words she could muster: ' This is for Pat .' 'I'm sure it [the pressure] was there for her,' Agler said. 'I just remember when we won, how happy she was. She almost collapsed on the floor with joy. … That's really the only time I've seen her that way in a public setting.' Soon after the championship run, a divide grew between Parker and the organization. In her new book, ' The Can-do Mindset ,' Parker reflects on strained relationships with the front office, a carousel of head coaches and a growing distrust that ultimately fractured her relationship with the Sparks. 'The culture was toxic, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was a part of that culture and had been absorbed in that toxicity,' Parker wrote in her book, referring to the breakup. 'I had to admit to myself that I didn't like who I'd become in my years with the Sparks. It takes two to tango. So though I didn't create the culture, I was still at fault in my own way.' Chasing more titles and ownership Candace Parker, center right, celebrates with Chicago Sky teammates after winning the 2021 WNBA title. (Paul Beaty / Associated Press) After 13 years, Parker decided to leave the Sparks. It's a move Leslie called 'unfortunate,' adding she had 'no idea how they let her get away.' But Parker announced she was ready to find ' a sense of peace ,' signing with the Chicago Sky — moving as close to her native Naperville as possible. Advertisement During free agency, Parker called Azurá Stevens, who had just wrapped her first season with the Sky. Curious about the team and open to a fresh start, Parker asked about Stevens' experience. Stevens still describes the conversation as 'surreal,' thrilled by the idea of sharing the court with her childhood idol. Growing up, Stevens — now the Sparks' starting forward — modeled her game after Parker. Standing 6-foot-6, she admired Parker's versatility and poise, and now, the two would be teammates in the same starting lineup. 'We had an up-and-down year and went through a lot that season,' Stevens recalls of the team finishing .500. 'Candace definitely led the way. … A strong veteran presence for us to keep us level-headed. And once we got to the playoffs, we flipped the switch.' Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown — like Stevens — followed Parker's career. Finally playing alongside her in Chicago, what stood out wasn't just Parker's talent, but her relentless devotion while juggling motherhood, a broadcasting career and a championship run. 'I remember watching her on TNT the night before, and she'd pull up to practice with some of her makeup still on,' Brown said. 'She was really dedicated to helping us win. That was a special season for me.' Advertisement In the twilight of her career, Parker still showed flashes of the once baby-haired assassin who shook up the WNBA. 'It was a homecoming for the whole year,' Stevens said of Parker's move to Chicago. 'Being able to go back home and then bring a franchise its first championship is really special. The city really showed out for her.' After two seasons in Chicago, Parker decided to reunite with Fargas — the coach who recruited Parker to Tennessee and eventually became president of the Las Vegas Aces. With a championship pedigree and legacy to match, Parker's new role was no longer the star but the connector. Her signing was meant to elevate A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young — all former No. 1 picks — to their fullest potential. Advertisement 'She brought a calmness to our team,' Fargas said. 'We already had a high-powered offense. … But having her on our team definitely helped raise and bring a championship culture.' Candace Parker won her third WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press) The outcome? A third championship with a third different team — another WNBA first. But the victory came with a bittersweet edge. An ankle injury sidelined Parker for much of the season. 'She did everything in her power to get back to us. … I know that was very difficult for her,' Fargas said. With wear and tear piling up, Parker announced her retirement — opening with a borrowed line from a Jay-Z verse on the track ' Dear Summer ': Advertisement 'Dear Summer, I know you gon' miss me ...' 'I love his lyrics, but I love how he's redefined what rappers are capable of,' Parker said of Jay-Z during an interview with ESPNW in 2023. 'That's what I hope to do for women's basketball players. … I want to be that business leader, that business mind.' Soon after retiring, Parker joined an investment group aiming to bring a WNBA franchise to Tennessee. Billionaire and former Gov. Bill Haslam — now chairman of the NHL's Nashville Predators — and his wife, Crissy, led the Nashville-based bid. They've assembled a star-studded roster that includes Parker, Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and country music icons Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. 'When I called her the first time, I said, 'Candace, we'd love you to be involved, and we don't just want your name,'' Haslam recalled. 'She was really quick to say, 'Well, that's great, because that's the only way I would be involved.'' Advertisement With the WNBA set to expand to 16 teams by 2028, the group submitted its formal bid in January. The group proposes calling the team Tennessee Summitt. 'To see Candace join an ownership group — why not?' Fargas said. 'Why aren't there more opportunities for the players who helped shape this league? Why aren't there those opportunities to allow them to not only play the game, but also invest in it?' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Major takeaways following John Tonje's selection in the 2025 NBA Draft
Former Wisconsin basketball star John Tonje joined an exclusive group on Thursday evening. Tonje, who was selected with the 53rd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, became the fourth Badger since 2015 to hear his name called by either NBA commissioner Adam Silver or deputy commissioner Mark Tatum. With the selection, the North Omaha, Nebraska, native joined lottery pick Johnny Davis (2022), AP College Basketball Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky (2015) and standout Sam Dekker (2015) as Badger draftees dating back to 2015. The second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten teamer will join the Jazz following his most prolific collegiate season to date. Across 37 games, Tonje averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game off 46.5% shooting from the field, 39% from 3 and 91% from the free-throw line. In his final performance donning the scarlet and white, Tonje set a program record for the most points in an NCAA Tournament game with 37 against the BYU Cougars, an indication of his offensive capabilities ahead of his professional career. Tonje is one of three Jazz draftees alongside former Rutgers star Ace Bailey, who was picked No. 5 overall, and Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., who landed at No. 18. All three will aim to help the Jazz improve upon its league-worst 17-65 output during the 2024-25 season in an ultra-competitive Western Conference. While Badger fans won't witness Tonje step foot on the Kohl Center's hardwood next season, they can now tune in to Jazz games throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from his selection in the 2025 draft Tonje did not 'slip' While ESPN's Jonathan Givony projected Tonje to hear his name called at No. 39 by the Toronto Raptors in his final mock draft, Tonje did not suffer a drastic drop in the draft. ESPN's June 17 mock draft slotted Tonje at No. 42 overall to the Sacramento Kings, and its post-lottery installation had the UW alumnus going No. 47 to Milwaukee. Yes, mock drafts often prove a reliable resource for learning which names will be called during the event, but they are rarely 100% accurate. Bailey, who was once projected as the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 cohort, fell to No. 5. Liam McNeeley fell to No. 29, and Jase Richardson was the No. 25 selection. Tonje belongs in the same conversation. At this stage of the draft, teams typically invest in depth and reliability. As an efficient veteran, Tonje fits that bill. Tonje's climb into the Jazz rotation could be a tough one While the Jazz don't boast the most star power in the Western Conference, the team is littered with young talent. Its summer league starting roster will likely feature Isaiah Collier, Jaden Springer, Cody Williams, Bailey and Kyle Filipowski. Tonje, alongside Clayton Jr., Elijah Harkless, R.J. Luis Jr. and Oscar Tshiebwe, will look to showcase their NBA ceilings in search of potential NBA minutes. Still, Tonje's ability to impact an offense from all three levels at an efficient clip could separate him from his peers. Collier, Williams, Filipowski and Springer already boast NBA reps, but most of Tonje's other counterparts will join the Jazz's roster as newcomers. Tonje will need to work hard, but he's ingrained into the roster as a second-rounder. The Jazz received great value at No. 53 While some teams elect to utilize earlier draft picks on raw potential, others pinpoint NBA-ready players to contribute on day one. That's exactly what Tonje's selection represents. The wing played five seasons of college basketball and spent time with Cameroon's national team in August 2023 during the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Nigeria. He witnessed his scoring averages increase in every healthy year of his collegiate career, culminating in his final season of stardom in Madison. He illustrated his ability to perform under pressure, drill looks from outside and draw contact to reach the foul line. The Jazz knew what they were getting in Tonje, and they pounced on the opportunity. Tonje fits Utah's timeline of contention The Jazz boasted an average age of 24.8 years during the 2024-25 season, the fourth-youngest of any NBA franchise behind the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets. At 24, Tonje certainly fits what Will Hardy and the Jazz's brass are attempting to build. Walker Kessler (23), Lauri Markkanen (28), John Collins (27), Collin Sexton (26) and Jordan Clarkson (33) are the senior-most players expected to accumulate the highest volume of minutes this upcoming season. While some franchises rely on veteran leadership, Utah is attempting to return to the postseason through development and patience. This helps the former Badger. Utah's return to glory may be a season or two away. If that remains the case, hard work and persistence can bolster Tonje's likelihood of seeing the floor, even in blowouts. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Candace Parker: From top prospect to WNBA champion with three teams
In 2000, whispers of a 13-year-old phenom from Naperville, Ill. — a Chicago suburb — began reverberating through the AAU circuit. Generational. Dominant. Striking. Perhaps the greatest women's basketball prospect ever. Candace Parker's name rang out far beyond her hometown. Word soon reached every elite college basketball program in the country — from Durham, N.C., to College Park, Md., to Knoxville, Tenn. — each clamoring for her talents. Few truly stood a chance. 'Her game at such an early age was something I had never seen in person,' said Nikki Fargas, then an assistant coach at Tennessee. 'To see her do it so young tells you a lot. … She was undeniable, and her presence was felt.' Long before Parker's illustrious professional career and her Sparks jersey retirement ceremony Sunday — three championships, two MVPs, rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, Finals MVP, two Olympic golds, seven All-Star nods and 10 All-WNBA selections — she was simply 'Ace,' a sweatband-wearing, bob-cut sporting teenager set to graduate. Fargas, who won a national title under legendary coach Pat Summitt, was Tennessee's recruiting director in 2003 and was looking to make a splash with her first class. The moment she saw Parker in person, she was certain: Parker would be a Lady Vol. By her senior year in high school, Parker had grown into a 6-foot-4 national player of the year and state champion. Fargas attended all of Parker's games at Naperville Central High, a nearly 1,100-mile round trip. She sat in the Redhawks' gym bleachers, decked out in Tennessee orange while sending a not-so-subtle message, often with Summitt by her side. Fargas made her final pitch clear and direct: Parker could become the greatest under Summitt. On Nov. 11, 2003, at the start of her senior year, Parker committed to Tennessee live on ESPNews — the first women's basketball player to commit on national TV. Parker later told ESPN, 'I wanted to be a professional basketball player. I loved that Knoxville was centered around women's basketball.' 'Candace is the most versatile 6-foot-3 player at this stage of her game that I've ever seen,' Summitt said in a Tennessee news release announcing Parker's signing a letter of intent. 'She can play every position on the floor, from point guard to post, … Truly a great inside-outside player. … The total package.' Parker's arrival sent a jolt through Rocky Top. At just 18, she brought weighty expectations — it was championship or bust. For several years, it had been bust for Tennessee, which hadn't won a national title since the late '90s. After missing her freshman year because of a knee injury, Parker proved to be better than advertised, propelling the Lady Vols back onto the national stage. 'Even in college, not only did she dunk, but she was able to pass, able to shoot at her position, able to do things that bigs weren't doing,' said Noelle Quinn, a former Southland prep star and head coach of the Seattle Storm. 'It was easy for Candace. It was easy for that team.' Quinn experienced the Summitt-Parker era firsthand. In 2006, she led UCLA into an early-season clash on the road against No. 1 Tennessee — the start of Parker's first title run. 'It was an amazing environment to play in — a game I'll never forget,' Quinn recalled. Parker and Quinn led their teams in scoring — Parker with 22 points, Quinn with 20. Tennessee's dominance with Parker at the helm was clear, Quinn said. At the height of the team's back-to-back championship runs, Fargas said traveling with the Lady Vols 'was like traveling with rock stars.' Summitt's fearless approach — taking on anyone, anywhere — kept Tennessee in the spotlight, with Parker as the undisputed headliner. 'What we're seeing right now with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark — bringing awareness, getting people to watch and increasing attendance — Parker was doing that already,' Fargas said. 'Fans would be lined up at our hotel. Our bus would pull up and there were the fans.' By the end of her college career, Parker had accomplished everything — two-time AP player of the year, 2008 Naismith college player of the year, and most outstanding player during both national title runs — the last of which was Summitt's final championship. 'She fits in at the top,' Fargas said of Parker's place in program history. 'When you talk about Lady Vols, Parker is maybe the first of the names people talk about. … She was different.' Parker was arguably the WNBA's most anticipated prospect — a franchise-altering talent. Yet one question loomed: Who would land her? In 2006, the Sparks were in championship contention, reaching the conference finals with MVP Lisa Leslie. But when Leslie missed the following season on maternity leave, the team plummeted to 10–24 — tied for worst in the league. With a 34.1% chance at the No. 1 pick, the pingpong balls bounced the Sparks' way. Questions swirled about how Parker and Leslie would coexist. Leslie says she never saw a problem — only potential. She called herself 'Smooth' and Parker 'Silk,' and welcomed the role of hardening the rookie, likening it to 'having another baby.' For a time, Leslie lived a few floors from Parker in the team's player housing, keeping tabs on Parker's habits. She'd make her oatmeal and slice up fruit because Parker 'wouldn't eat well,' gently pushing through rookie stubbornness toward authority, nudging her toward the weight room and stressing the importance of body maintenance. The wisdom of one MVP — and the freedom granted by Sparks coach Michael Cooper — helped ignite the greatest rookie season in WNBA history. Parker captured both rookie of the year and MVP honors, joining an exclusive club with NBA legends Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld. 'Candace always showed greatness,' Leslie said. 'Each generation, we've done our part. You carry that torch as far as you can, and hand it off with grace.' The torch was Parker's to bear into the next decade. But nine seasons in, she was still chasing her first Finals appearance, let alone a championship. Years of coaching changes, early playoff exits and unmet expectations had left the franchise — and its star — without a title. Brian Agler's first year as Sparks head coach started rocky with a 3–14 record, as Parker sat out the first half of the 2015 season after playing overseas. As the losses mounted, Parker prepared for a return and called Agler to arrange a closed workout. 'I think she wanted to play into me as, 'OK, I'm gonna come back and get ready,'' Agler said. 'But in reality, she was sort of measuring me up.' Agler believed it was a test to see whether she thought he was the right fit — if he could lead the team to a championship, just as he had done with the Seattle Storm in 2010. By the following season, with the pieces in play, contending for a championship seemed within reach. But the 2016 season wasn't without turmoil for Parker. She was surprisingly left off the USA Olympic team, faced marital strife and mourned the loss of Summitt, who died of complications from Alzheimer's. On the court, Parker remained a force, and helped foster the rise of one of the league's best — former No. 1 overall pick and MVP Nneka Ogwumike. Like Leslie had done for her, Parker took Ogwumike under her wing. 'For the most part, I was someone who paid attention to what vets did, and I spent a lot of time watching what she did,' Ogwumike said of Parker. 'She helped me understand [the game] from a different lens, from a more advanced perspective coming in from college. We were able to develop some great chemistry.' Agler said their connection 'was as special as I've seen,' adding that Ogwumike 'probably understood Candace better than most anybody.' In Parker's first WNBA Finals, she led the Sparks through a dramatic series against the Lynx, capped by a 28-point and 12-rebound performance in Game 5 to secure the title and Finals MVP. Through tears, she found the only words she could muster: 'This is for Pat.' 'I'm sure it [the pressure] was there for her,' Agler said. 'I just remember when we won, how happy she was. She almost collapsed on the floor with joy. … That's really the only time I've seen her that way in a public setting.' Soon after the championship run, a divide grew between Parker and the organization. In her new book, 'The Can-do Mindset,' Parker reflects on strained relationships with the front office, a carousel of head coaches and a growing distrust that ultimately fractured her relationship with the Sparks. 'The culture was toxic, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was a part of that culture and had been absorbed in that toxicity,' Parker wrote in her book, referring to the breakup. 'I had to admit to myself that I didn't like who I'd become in my years with the Sparks. It takes two to tango. So though I didn't create the culture, I was still at fault in my own way.' After 13 years, Parker decided to leave the Sparks. It's a move Leslie called 'unfortunate,' adding she had 'no idea how they let her get away.' But Parker announced she was ready to find 'a sense of peace,' signing with the Chicago Sky — moving as close to her native Naperville as possible. During free agency, Parker called Azurá Stevens, who had just wrapped her first season with the Sky. Curious about the team and open to a fresh start, Parker asked about Stevens' experience. Stevens still describes the conversation as 'surreal,' thrilled by the idea of sharing the court with her childhood idol. Growing up, Stevens — now the Sparks' starting forward — modeled her game after Parker. Standing 6-foot-6, she admired Parker's versatility and poise, and now, the two would be teammates in the same starting lineup. 'We had an up-and-down year and went through a lot that season,' Stevens recalls of the team finishing .500. 'Candace definitely led the way. … A strong veteran presence for us to keep us level-headed. And once we got to the playoffs, we flipped the switch.' Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown — like Stevens — followed Parker's career. Finally playing alongside her in Chicago, what stood out wasn't just Parker's talent, but her relentless devotion while juggling motherhood, a broadcasting career and a championship run. 'I remember watching her on TNT the night before, and she'd pull up to practice with some of her makeup still on,' Brown said. 'She was really dedicated to helping us win. That was a special season for me.' In the twilight of her career, Parker still showed flashes of the once baby-haired assassin who shook up the WNBA. 'It was a homecoming for the whole year,' Stevens said of Parker's move to Chicago. 'Being able to go back home and then bring a franchise its first championship is really special. The city really showed out for her.' After two seasons in Chicago, Parker decided to reunite with Fargas — the coach who recruited Parker to Tennessee and eventually became president of the Las Vegas Aces. With a championship pedigree and legacy to match, Parker's new role was no longer the star but the connector. Her signing was meant to elevate A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young — all former No. 1 picks — to their fullest potential. 'She brought a calmness to our team,' Fargas said. 'We already had a high-powered offense. … But having her on our team definitely helped raise and bring a championship culture.' The outcome? A third championship with a third different team — another WNBA first. But the victory came with a bittersweet edge. An ankle injury sidelined Parker for much of the season. 'She did everything in her power to get back to us. … I know that was very difficult for her,' Fargas said. With wear and tear piling up, Parker announced her retirement — opening with a borrowed line from a Jay-Z verse on the track 'Dear Summer': 'Dear Summer, I know you gon' miss me ...' 'I love his lyrics, but I love how he's redefined what rappers are capable of,' Parker said of Jay-Z during an interview with ESPNW in 2023. 'That's what I hope to do for women's basketball players. … I want to be that business leader, that business mind.' Soon after retiring, Parker joined an investment group aiming to bring a WNBA franchise to Tennessee. Billionaire and former Gov. Bill Haslam — now chairman of the NHL's Nashville Predators — and his wife, Crissy, led the Nashville-based bid. They've assembled a star-studded roster that includes Parker, Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and country music icons Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. 'When I called her the first time, I said, 'Candace, we'd love you to be involved, and we don't just want your name,'' Haslam recalled. 'She was really quick to say, 'Well, that's great, because that's the only way I would be involved.'' With the WNBA set to expand to 16 teams by 2028, the group submitted its formal bid in January. The group proposes calling the team Tennessee Summitt. 'To see Candace join an ownership group — why not?' Fargas said. 'Why aren't there more opportunities for the players who helped shape this league? Why aren't there those opportunities to allow them to not only play the game, but also invest in it?'
