Sports

Kelsey Plum traded to Mercury by Sparks: Trade details, what we know

Nairavoice · Aug 2, 2026 · 2 min read

The Los Angeles Sparks touted the acquisition of Kelsey Plum as the dawn of a fresh competitive start. Seventeen months later, the franchise is starting over.

Los Angeles reportedly agreed to trade the five-time All-Star and two-time champion to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night. The move comes shortly before the WNBA trade deadline.

ESPN reported the deal yielded the Sparks guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-rounder in exchange for Plum.

This comes after Plum requested to be moved from the Las Vegas Aces after the 2024 season, leading to a blockbuster three-team trade including the Seattle Storm that saw the Sparks deal the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to secure Plum.

First-year Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts committed to a “winning season” when Plum was formally introduced in Los Angeles. The team finished the 2025 WNBA season with a 21–23 record, placing 6th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs as Plum averaged 19.3 points per game.

The Sparks are 10-17 so far this season and fired general manager Raegan Pebley on July 12. Since then, the Sparks have lost six in a row.

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Plum had not appeared in a game for the Sparks since June 21, when the Sparks beat New York 98-97 at Crypto.com Arena. The team announced that she sustained a lower left leg injury. She also suffered a right ankle sprain in late May that sidelined her for three games.

Plum was asked Thursday about the possibility of being traded, and instead pointed to the fact that she planned to play again when the Sparks visited Portland Sunday afternoon. Tip-off for that game was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT at Moda Center, and the trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 2.

“I’m not taking anything personal. I’m gonna be where my feet are. I play for the Sparks. So on Sunday, I’m gonna suit up,” Plum said.

Instead, Plum will be preparing to suit up for a new team.

The Phoenix Mercury, which lost to the Aces in the Finals last season, have also failed to meet expectations so far this year. They have an 11-18 record, placing them 5th in the Western Conference.

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