Sparks Add Kiana Williams After Waiving Sania Feagin To Strengthen Guard Depth

The Los Angeles Sparks have made a significant roster adjustment under the new WNBA player development contract rules, moving to acquire guard Kiana Williams while parting ways with second-year center Sania Feagin. The decision reflects the team’s current priorities as they look to improve their ball-handling depth and provide more support for their veteran guards.

Following Friday’s practice, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts confirmed that Feagin had been released as the team prepared for Williams’ expected arrival. The move marked one of the first examples of a team attempting to bring in a player from another organization through the league’s updated development contract system.

Feagin, who was selected by the Sparks with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, had recently returned from a leg injury that forced her to miss several games. The young center also entered the league with championship experience from her time at South Carolina, where she was part of two national title-winning teams.

While Roberts expressed disappointment about losing Feagin, she explained that the decision was based on the team’s immediate roster needs. With the Sparks searching for additional backcourt stability, the organization determined that Williams’ skill set better matched the role they needed to fill.

1. Sparks Make Roster Move

The league’s new development contract rules allow teams to pursue players from other organizations through a process similar to restricted free agency. If a player’s original team chooses not to match the offer, the player can join the new team on a standard contract. That system created an opportunity for Los Angeles to target Williams, who was playing under a development deal after beginning the season on a standard contract with the Phoenix Mercury. The Sparks believed her experience and ability to manage an offense could immediately help their second unit. Roberts acknowledged that roster decisions involve both competitive and personal factors. She praised Feagin’s potential and said the move was difficult from a human perspective, but emphasized that teams must make decisions based on what helps them succeed on the court. “I still believe she can make it in this league,” Roberts said of Feagin while explaining that the team’s current situation required a different type of player. The Sparks ultimately prioritized adding another guard who could handle responsibilities at the point position.

2. Williams Brings Needed Experience

Williams enters Los Angeles during her fifth WNBA season and arrives after showing progress in a limited role this year. She has posted career-best averages in scoring and three-point shooting while contributing valuable minutes off the bench. The Sparks viewed her as a player who could provide more than just shooting. Roberts highlighted Williams’ ability to organize the offense, make smart decisions and help teammates get into the correct positions during possessions. Los Angeles already has Kelsey Plum and Erica Wheeler handling major responsibilities in the starting lineup, but the coaching staff wanted a more traditional point guard option for the second unit. The team felt that relying too heavily on younger players would force them into roles that did not maximize their strengths. Roberts explained that players such as Chance Gray, Jihyun Park and Ta’Niya Latson were being asked to handle more point guard duties than ideal. Bringing in Williams allows those players to focus more on their natural abilities while adding another experienced ball-handler to the rotation.

3. New Role Within Sparks Rotation

Williams is expected to take on a significant role as the primary backup point guard once she officially joins the team. Her familiarity with several Sparks players could also help her transition quickly into the system. Roberts pointed out that Williams already has connections with members of the roster, including Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike. Those relationships, along with her previous professional experience, could make the adjustment smoother as she learns the team’s style of play. The coaching staff believes Williams’ combination of shooting, decision-making and leadership can provide stability during important stretches of games. Her ability to control the tempo and create opportunities for teammates was a major reason the Sparks pursued her. As Los Angeles continues navigating injuries and roster changes, the addition of Williams represents an effort to build more balance throughout the lineup. The Sparks are hoping the move provides the depth needed to compete while maintaining development opportunities for their younger players.