The Los Angeles Sparks made their first in-season play under the WNBA’s new development contract rules, and it looks like they got their target.
Head coach Lynne Roberts confirmed Friday that the team waived second-year center Sania Feagin, clearing the way for the expected signing of guard Kiana Williams. The move is the first time a team has successfully poached a player from another club’s development pool since the new collective bargaining agreement took effect.
Feagin, drafted 21st overall in 2025, was part of South Carolina’s national championship teams in 2022 and 2024. She had just returned from a leg injury that cost her six games earlier this season. Roberts made it clear the decision was about roster fit, not Feagin’s potential.
“We have a real need for another ball-handling point guard,” Roberts said. “There’s the business element and there’s the human element. So it’s tough. I love Sania and still believe that she can make it in this league. It’s just more about our need, that’s the business side of it. But certainly the human side is tough.”
How the new rule works
Under the revised CBA, teams can sign development-contract players from other teams using an offer sheet similar to restricted free agency. If the original team declines to match, the player moves on a standard deal. The Mercury had Williams on a development contract after initially waiving her from a standard deal to make room for Lexi Held.
Williams is averaging career highs this season — 4.8 points and 36 percent from three in just over 13 minutes per game across eight appearances. She also spent time at Unrivaled this year alongside several Sparks players, including Erica Wheeler.
Roberts said Williams is expected in Los Angeles this weekend. The team hasn’t officially announced anything yet, but it’s a good bet she’ll be available for Sunday’s game against the New York Liberty.
Filling a gap on the bench
With Kelsey Plum and Wheeler starting, the Sparks have been trying to get backup minutes from rookies Chance Gray, Jihyun Park and Ta’Niya Latson. But none of them are natural point guards, and Roberts said the experiment was pulling them away from what they do best.
“Somebody that can take some of the pressure off of Erica and Kelsey,” Roberts said. “We tried to figure it out with Chance Gray and JP or Ta’Niya and that’s asking them to play out of their positions. It was taking away from what they’re good at.”
Williams has played with Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike in Seattle, and the familiarity helped sell the front office on the move. Roberts described her as a smart, experienced player who can shoot and run the offense.
“She’s a good player. She can shoot but she can help run the team. She’s out there getting us into the right spots, execute the way we need to,” Roberts said. “She was at Unrivaled this year with a lot of our guys who were there, she played with E-Dub and Nneka in Seattle, so that comfort level with our roster, we felt good about it.”
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