There is a free agent signing almost every season which has the ability to impact the WNBA. This season that signing is Tierra Ruffin-Pratt signing with the Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks have gone a long way this free agency period to work their way back to the top of the WNBA. They matched the offer sheet of Odyssey Sims to keep her away from the Phoenix Mercury. They then lost Essence Carson to the Mercury.

However, the Sparks then pulled off this free agency coup but signing Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, previously of the Washington Mystics. This signing has the ability to change the landscape the same way the Renee Montgomery to Atlanta Dream signing of last season.

Ruffin-Pratt is not a superstar, she is a solid role player who is an above average defender. This would have been right at the top of the priority list for the Sparks front office. They re-signed Alana Beard to a contract extension but the best defender in the league is getting older.

Pairing Ruffin-Pratt with Beard is going to be great for the Sparks this season. Their defense is going to make the Sparks one of the hardest teams to score against. However, beyond next season, Ruffin-Pratt is going to benefit from the knowledge that will be imparted from Beard’s mentorship.

After six years in Washington, Ruffin-Pratt is going to an established winner. She is used to playing a secondary offensive role to an incredible star in Elena Delle-Donne. She will have stars Nneka Ogwumike and Candace Parker that she can play off.

Her defense will help create high energy transition offense for the whole team. This signing, while it may not be earth-shattering now will most probably be seen as the best one of this off-season.

For full free agency coverage check out our 2019 free agency central.

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