The WNBA trade deadline, often a subdued affair due to the league's hard salary cap, saw increased activity this year with two notable trades, including a blockbuster move sending All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury.
Plum becomes one of only four All-Stars in league history to be part of a midseason trade. This significant transaction involved the Los Angeles Sparks, who had acquired Plum less than two years prior in exchange for a substantial package that included the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. With Plum reportedly planning to test free agency in the offseason and the Sparks sitting 5.5 games out of a playoff spot with 17 games remaining, the team opted to gain assets for their future.
The Sparks received Monique Akoa Makani, who is under contract through 2027, along with Phoenix's 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-rounder in return for Plum. This move signals a strategic shift for the Sparks as they look to rebuild.
In another transaction, the Connecticut Sun traded Aneesah Morrow to the Toronto for the player rights to Maria “Masha” Kliundikova and a 2028 second-round pick from the Tempo. This deal appears to be mutually beneficial, with the Tempo acquiring a young player on a rookie contract through 2028. The Sun, meanwhile, gain Kliundikova and a future pick, though her availability for the upcoming WNBA season remains uncertain.
The Golden State Valkyries, currently third in the league standings with a 19-9 record, did not make a move at the deadline. Despite being reportedly linked to Plum's sweepstakes, the team appears committed to its current roster, though the notes suggest they may be perceived as needing one more piece to contend for a championship.
The New York Liberty are facing questions as they head into the playoffs, largely due to uncertainty surrounding the health of Leonie Fiebich (left foot injury) and Satou Sabally (concussion protocol). The team has not provided concrete timelines for their return.
Adding to the Liberty's situation is the status of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. She signed a one-year, $400,000 "prove-it" contract and has struggled to regain her form after a year-long layoff due to knee surgery. Laney-Hamilton has been a healthy scratch for six consecutive games, raising questions about her immediate role and future with the team as the deadline has passed without a resolution.