Los Angeles @ Golden State picks

After finishing with the worst record in the league a year ago, things can only get better for the Los Angeles Sparks. Dearica Hamby led the team in scoring with 17.3 points per game to go along with 9.2 rebounds, while Rickea Jackson chipped in with 13.4 points and 3.9 boards. The biggest addition was a three-team trade that netted them guard Kelsey Plum, who averaged 17.8 points as a key cog to the Las Vegas Aces last season. The Golden State Valkyries will likely struggle like most expansion franchises do, but there’s a chance their roster building can make them a respectable foe in its inaugural season. It’s going to be the first time we see what Golden State is working with, and even if they’re up against a team that just went 8-32 a season ago, L.A. has legit star talent in Hamby and should roll.