The Los Angeles Sparks have traded five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury, according to reports early Sunday morning. The deal, which comes ahead of the WNBA trade deadline, sends Monique Akoa Makani, Phoenix’s 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick to Los Angeles.
Plum emerged as the league's top trade target after reports indicated she did not plan to re-sign with the Sparks following the current season. Her agreement with the Mercury was finalized late Saturday.
This marks only the fourth time in WNBA history that an All-Star player has been traded during the season. Plum's tenure with the Sparks was brief; the team acquired her in an offseason trade during which they sent their No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
However, the Sparks finished two games shy of the postseason in 2025. This season, Plum has been sidelined with a lower leg injury since June 21, watching the Sparks compile a 10-17 record and fall to 11th in the league standings, 5.5 games behind the eighth-place Liberty.
Prior to the trade, Plum had also drawn interest from the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty. Discussions with the Liberty reportedly stalled.
The Sparks sought to gain significant assets in return for Plum before she becomes a free agent after the 2026 season. This season, Plum has averaged 23.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 12 games. She had been expected to be available for the Sparks' next game against Portland, scheduled shortly after the trade deadline.