What I’m hearing on Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum and other WNBA trade deadline targets

Key Points:

• The WNBA trade deadline, historically quiet due to salary cap restrictions, may see increased activity in 2026 thanks to new collective bargaining agreement tools and rising league revenues encouraging teams to take more risks.
• The Los Angeles Sparks face a critical decision regarding guard Kelsey Plum, who is unlikely to re-sign; the team risks losing her for nothing unless they trade her before the August 2 deadline amid organizational changes and a push for future competitiveness.
• Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, recovering from injury and on a one-year deal, is a potential trade candidate, but the Lynx remain contenders and are weighing her future carefully, balancing trade opportunities with the desire to retain her for a title run.
• The Phoenix Mercury, struggling this season and far from playoff contention, may target Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith to improve their roster, though salary cap constraints complicate potential trades.
• The Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics, both with roster overlaps and cap space, are positioned as possible sellers and buyers respectively, with the Mystics potentially pursuing Kelsey Plum to bolster their playoff push.