Kelsey Plum Traded to Phoenix Mercury

Kelsey Plum is making her way to the Phoenix Mercury. The Los Angeles Sparks traded the acclaimed five-time All-Star guard to Phoenix late on Saturday night. In return, they received Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.

This significant trade occurred just hours before Sunday’s WNBA trade deadline. It adds a prominent player to the Mercury, who are working to make a postseason bid. Plum joined the Sparks before the 2025 season in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick, aiming to enhance the team’s rebuilding efforts. However, the anticipated turnaround did not materialize for Los Angeles.

Before her injury, Plum demonstrated some of her career’s best performance statistics. She averaged 23.9 points and 6.4 assists through 12 games, leading the league in scoring earlier. Though expected to return against the Portland Fire, it remains uncertain whether she will play when Phoenix faces the Chicago Sky.

Her time with Los Angeles lasted only 18 months. The Sparks hoped Plum could aid a rebuild focused around Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Seattle used the No. 2 pick on Dominique Malonga, who became an All-Star quickly. Despite these moves, Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2025 and currently has a 10-17 record, with a six-game losing streak jeopardizing their postseason chances once again.

Amid the team’s struggles, the Sparks parted with General Manager Raegan Pebley. Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen stepped in as interim general managers. With Plum set to become a free agent and not planning to re-sign, she was a top trade option. Both the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream expressed interest before she joined Phoenix.

The Mercury, with a record of 11-19, remain outside the playoff picture, trailing the eighth-place Liberty by six games. Despite this, adding Plum gives them a proven scorer and an additional playmaker. She relieves some pressure from Alyssa Thomas, who leads in assists with 8.3 per game.

This trade is notable, marking only the fourth time an All-Star player was traded during the WNBA season. Plum’s addition may prove crucial in Phoenix’s bid to remain competitive.