Kelsey Plum opens up about trade before Mercury face Sky

Kelsey Plum was as shocked as everyone else when she found out she had been dealt to the Phoenix Mercury close to the Aug. 2 WNBA trade deadline. 

Plum dealt with trade rumors leading up to the deadline, but prepared herself to make her return from injury whether it was with the Los Angeles Sparks in Portland on Aug. 2 or elsewhere. 

And it ended up being elsewhere. 

“I’m where my feet are. Two nights ago, I was in Portland, and now I’m here (in Chicago),” Plum said in her introductory conference. “But that’s why I’m a professional, and I’m paid to play at the highest level, and that’s what I’m going to do tonight.” 

Plum will suit up for the Mercury against the Chicago Sky on Aug. 3, playing with a restriction of 20 minutes. It will be her first game since June 21. She wasn’t too concerned about her on-court chemistry and lack of practice, as she’s studied the playbook and film while on her journey from Portland to Chicago.

The uncertainty of where she’d end up in the final 48 hours of the trade deadline was overwhelming. But once she got the news of joining the Mercury, she felt more at ease knowing that she had played with stars Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas while on Team USA, along with being coached by Nate Tibbetts on the national team. 

On Aug. 2, Plum landed in Chicago around 11 p.m. and was greeted by her new teammates and staff.  

“To be received by the teammates and the staff and the organization, I’m just super grateful,” Plum said. “I can’t say how thankful I am to go out and compete tonight.”

Plum comes in with an expiring contract worth $999,999 and is expected to help the struggling Mercury (11-19) claw their way back into the postseason in the final two months.  

Even though the Mercury surrendered point guard Monique Akoa Makani and two picks, including a first-rounder, Plum’s future with the team beyond this season remains unclear. 

General manager Nick U’Ren declined to reveal his discussions with Plum about her intentions beyond the 2026 season, but said he intends for her to be part of the team’s future.  

“I think she fits in with our current group and we certainly hope we’re building something she’s a part of for a long time,” he said. “We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t think she’s capable of fitting in both now and moving forward.”

U’Ren also didn’t want to wait for free agency to pursue Plum for the 2027 season and wanted to be “aggressive and get her here as early as possible.” 

“The chance to get Kelsey into our four walls and have her feel what we’re all about and feel our staff and players and organizational dynamic was really important to us,” U’Ren said. 

Plum understands the task ahead with a pivotal five-game road trip that could make or break the Mercury’s postseason hopes.  

And she’s not backing down from the challenge. 

“What they’ve done from afar, they were in the Finals last year, and it’s been a tough road this season with injuries and getting all their players on a roster, but there’s still a chance,” Plum said. “In my mind, that’s what I’m thinking about. Just chipping away and winning games and fighting to get into the playoffs.” 

Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kelsey Plum opens up about trade before Mercury face Sky