WNBA trade grades: Sparks sign-and-trade Jordin Canada to Dream for Aari McDonald, No. 8 overall pick

The Sparks will send the No. 12 pick to the Dream as well

By Jack Maloney Feb 1, 2024 at 3:40 pm ET• 3 min read

The Los Angeles Sparks continued their busy offseason Thursday with their second trade in as many days. This time, they agreed to sign-and-trade Jordin Canada and the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft to the Atlanta Dream for Aari McDonald and the No. 8 overall pick. 

"Aari is an exciting addition to the Sparks. I look forward to working with her and have been a fan since her collegiate days," Sparks coach Curt Miller stated in a press release. "Over her WNBA career she has shown herself to be one of the fastest guards in the league and will help us establish our tempo on a nightly basis."   

"Canada's defensive prowess is a trait I've admired from a distance since she entered the league. You simply can't teach the level of skill she brings to her position," Dream coach Tanisha Wright said. "I'm excited to work with her and integrate her unique strengths into our system."

With the deal now official, let's grade it for both teams. 

Dream receive

• Jordin Canada
• No. 12 overall pick (via Las Vegas Aces)

Ever since Wright took over as Atlanta's head coach in 2022, the point guard position has been a revolving door. That will change with Canada's arrival. Canada is coming off a breakout campaign in which she finished as the runner-up for Most Improved Player and established herself as a top-tier point guard.