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The Los Angeles Sparks sent five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury late Saturday in a significant mid-season transaction that arrived just hours ahead of Sunday’s trade deadline. In return, Los Angeles received forward Monique Akoa Makani along with a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. The deal marked a notable shift in the Mercury’s strategy as the team attempts to strengthen its postseason prospects.
Plum, a two-time WNBA champion now 31 years old, has been sidelined since June 21 with a lower left leg injury but was expected to return with minutes restriction. The timing of her availability for Phoenix’s upcoming matchup against Chicago on Monday remains uncertain. Prior to her injury, the guard was enjoying career-best statistical production, averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists across 12 games while leading the league in scoring.
The Sparks acquired Plum before the 2025 season by trading the No. 2 overall pick, hoping the veteran would accelerate a rebuild centered on Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. That pick eventually went to Seattle, which selected Dominique Malonga, who became an All-Star in her second season. Los Angeles’ gamble failed to materialize, as the team compiled a 10-17 record and has lost six consecutive games, extending the organization’s playoff drought to potentially six straight years.
Plum was widely expected to become a free agent and seek employment elsewhere after the season, making her the league’s most prominent trade candidate entering the deadline. Both the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream had expressed interest. The Mercury, currently 11-19 and six games outside the playoff picture, view Plum as crucial to their push for a final postseason berth alongside scoring leader Alyssa Thomas.
The trade marks only the fourth instance in WNBA history of an All-Star player being dealt mid-season. General manager changes in Los Angeles, including the departure of Raegan Pebley in July, left the organization with interim leadership from assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen.
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