Sparks make surprising Kate Martin roster decision after claiming ex-Dream forward

With only five games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Sparks made a flurry of roster moves over the weekend, including the surprising decision to cut fan favorite Kate Martin. In addition to Martin, the Sparks also cut third-year forward Alissa Pili who had been on one of the WNBA’s new development contracts.

To replace Kate Martin on the active roster, the Sparks were awarded second-year forward Aaliyah Nye off waivers. Nye had played for the Atlanta Dream this season, but was waived by the team to make room for veteran DeWanna Bonner.

Prior to the multiple cuts, the Sparks started off the weekend by signing rookie guard Ndjakalanga Mwenentanda to a development contract. The team had one development spot open after converting rookie guard Tonie Morgan to standard deal.

Now with Pili being cut, the Sparks are back to having one developmental contract spot open. When it comes to standard contracts, however, the waiving of Martin and acquisition of Nye brings the team to a full 12.

Martin had begun the 2026 season on a development contract with the Sparks after being cut by the Golden State Valkyries. She eventually had her deal converted to standard, but she was on the outs of the main rotation for most of the year.

In total, Martin appeared in 17 games with the Sparks at a little over seven minutes per game. She was averaging 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds with splits of 37.1 percent shooting from the field, 30.8 percent shooting from 3-point range and 62.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Martin began her career with the Las Vegas Aces before being claimed by the Valkyries in the 2025 expansion draft.

As far as the Sparks newest active roster player, Nye was selected by the Aces as well with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She played her rookie year with the Aces before also being claimed via expansion draft by the Toronto Tempo this year.

The former Alabama standout had found her way to the Dream after being cut by the Tempo before the start of the year. She had appeared in 19 games at only a little over two minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the 3-point line and 100 percent from the free-throw line. Her season high in scoring was six point back on Aug. 13 during the Dream’s win against the Connecticut Sun.

The Sparks have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, and head coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged that young player development is a primary focus during the final stretch of the year.

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