2026 WNBA trade deadline news, rumors, live updates: Sparks deal Kelsey Plum to Mercury before Sunday's deadline
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Kelsey Plum has been traded from the Los Angeles Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury, where she will switch to jersey No. 0; the Sparks received guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick in return.
- Mercury GM Nick U'Ren praised Plum as a dynamic, complete guard with a winning mentality, but noted her contract expires this season and she plans to explore free agency, making the trade a short-term boost for Phoenix.
- The Sparks are entering a rebuilding phase, focusing on developing young talent like Akoa Makani and other prospects while leveraging the acquired draft picks to build a new core.
- The WNBA trade deadline passed with limited activity due to the recent collective bargaining agreement and busy free agency period, resulting in fewer mid-season trades than usual.
- The Minnesota Lynx, holding the best record in the league, confirmed they will not make any trades, instead signing developmental player Chloe Bibby from the Chicago Sky to strengthen their roster.
