Mercury land Kelsey Plum in blockbuster trade with Sparks
The Phoenix Mercury love to make big moves, and Kelsey Plum certainly fits that agenda. The five-time All-Star is headed to the desert.
Watch: What will the Arizona Diamondbacks do with Ketel Marte? | 7 mins
The Phoenix Mercury made a blockbuster trade overnight Saturday into Sunday to acquire five-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The Mercury sent Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Sparks, Charania added.
The trade marked just the fourth time in league history that an All-Star was moved midseason.
Plum has been out since June 21 due to a lower leg injury. The two-time WNBA champion was expected to return for the Sparks Sunday, but it is unknown if she’ll make the quick turnaround and play in Phoenix’s next game, on Monday at the Chicago Sky.
The former All-WNBA talent is a free agent at the end of the season and is expected to test the market.
The Mercury (11-19) currently sit 12th in the league standings with 14 games remaining. Phoenix is currently six games back of the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics, who sit seventh and eighth in the standings – the playoff cutoff.
Related
Phoenix Mercury buy out 17-year veteran DeWanna Bonner ahead of 2026 playoffs
Reese scores career high as Dream beat Mercury; Phoenix eliminated from playoff contention
Suns, Mercury unveil plan for largest outdoor screen for NBA, WNBA arena
Mercury surrender lead to Fire late, spoiling Taurasi’s Ring of Honor night
Diana Taurasi’s jersey retirement celebrated with gratitude for her greatness
Diana Taurasi looks back on the loyalty, relationships developed during Mercury career
Comments
4 Comments
I didn't know a team could be mismanaged worse than Ishbia's Suns.
What's that? He owns the Mercury too? Oh, now it makes perfect sense.
No you’re right. It makes no sense but the Merc do this all the time. They throw away 1st round picks even high ones for rentals and then they don’t win. Typical Merc
8 games under .500 and sitting 12 out of 15 teams and you are trading draft picks for a rental player? I don't know a whole lot about the WNBA, but that just seems like a dumb move.