Sparks waive Chennedy Carter after rocky tenure with team

The Sparks waived guard Chennedy Carter on Friday, reversing one of the remaining mistakes from the Derek Fisher era.

After joining the team in a trade from Atlanta, Carter averaged 8.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 16.4 minutes per game during her year at Sparks in 24 games.

She was benched for misconduct during the season when the Sparks missed the playoffs for a second straight season, and Fisher was fired as head coach and general manager in June.

Fisher, whose missteps last season included the signing of center Liz Cambage, sent former All-Star MVP Erica Wheeler, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 first-round pick, to Atlanta. The transaction served primarily as a payroll deduction for the Sparks, who instead sought to tout the potential of Carter, a former No. 4 overall who averaged 16.1 points and 3.4 assists over two seasons with the Dream.

Carter, previously suspended by Atlanta for team-damaging behavior, never delivered more than sporadic bursts of energy. When Curt Miller was hired as head coach after the season, Carter was one of two players signed to the Sparks, but Miller gave no resounding endorsement to the young guard.

“She’s currently under contract and is a talented player,” Miller said on a conference call shortly after he was hired. “And as the squad develops, everyone will be able to understand what’s long-term for us.”

Miller and general manager Karen Bryant retooled the Sparks roster during a busy offseason. They got their 2023 first-round pick back through a trade with Connecticut that also brought guard Jasmine Thomas to LA, free agent Azura Stevens, a Chicago Sky forward, and newly signed star forward Nneka Ogwumike . Guards Jordin Canada and Layshia Clarendon will compete for Carter’s roster spot after signing training camp contracts.

The Sparks open the season May 19 at Crypto.com Arena against the Phoenix Mercury.