Kelsey Plum has been one of the biggest names in the WNBA, and her fate was still up in the air before the trade deadline on Sunday. After only a season and a half with the Los Angeles Sparks, it looks like her career will take her to a new team. She had been having one of the best seasons of her career, averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists over the course of 12 games. The two-time WNBA champion suffered a lower left leg injury on June 21st and hasn’t played a game since then.
Plum joined the Sparks before the 2025 season when she was exchanged for the number two overall pick, but the Sparks missed the playoffs last season. Currently, they are sitting 10-17, with the team barely managing to hold a 2-9 record during her injury absence. While the Sparks have had a questionable run since acquiring Plum, her fate has been up in the air for quite some time.
Kelsey Plum Has Found A New Home
Kelsey Plum looks on from the sidelines during the 2026 State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Plum was given free agent status at the end of the 2025 season, and it was clear that she had no intentions of returning to the Sparks. Following this news, she became the most prominent player searching for a team, and this is the fourth time an All-Star has been traded during the season. The Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty showed interest in acquiring Plum, but she joined the Phoenix Mercury. Phoenix has been struggling with its own record this season as they are 11-19 and are six games behind eighth place for the final playoff spot.
Alyssa Thomas has been carrying Phoenix’s offense as she is averaging 8.3 assists per game, but Plum will make a welcome addition to relieve some pressure. In exchange for Plum, Phoenix has traded Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Phoenix Mercury Is Excited For What Kelsey Plum Can Do
With high hopes for the future and the 2027 season, the Mercury’s general manager opened up about his excitement for the trade. Nick U’Ren stated,
“Kelsey is one of the league’s most dynamic players. She is a fierce competitor with a winning mentality who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Her combination of shooting, explosiveness and decision-making allows her to create offense at a high level and makes her one of the league’s most complete guards. We have wanted Kelsey here for a long time, and we’re excited to finally bring her to Phoenix as we continue to build on our foundation.”
During the 2017 draft, Plum was a No. 1 pick for the San Antonio Stars, and she moved to Las Vegas the following year. In 2022 and 2023, she was a key player on the Aces’ roster as they earned their first two championships. Before the 2025 season, she was traded to the Sparks, and her move to the Mercury will be the next team on her resume.
End Of My Kelsey Plum Rant
Plum has been a crucial part of the league since her rookie season in 2017, but with her injury this season, it’s hard to say what she can bring to the rest of the season. Phoenix Mercury has clearly been struggling with their 12th place in the standings. If they don’t do something quickly, they could be only the second team in WNBA league history to not make it to the playoffs during the season after making it to the finals.
As for the Los Angeles Sparks, losing Plum could be a big problem for their upcoming season, but it could pay off in a big way for them considering the draft picks for the next two seasons. While Plum was never expected to stay with the Sparks long-term, this could be a big move to make her a key player on a struggling team.
