The 2026 WNBA trade deadline is less than 12 hours away and one of the league’s most prolific scorers is headed to Phoenix. The Valley is heating up as the Mercury are acquiring Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks.
The news was first reported early Sunday morning by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews. In exchange for Plum, the Sparks will receive guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick from Phoenix. Akoa Makani is in the midst of a two-year $588,600 contract. An elite sharpshooter, the Cameroon native ranks fifth in the league in 3-point percentage (43.6%) and has started 15 of 18 games in 2026.
Through 18 games this season, she’s averaged 9.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. An undrafted rookie in 2025, she was a crucial part of the Mercury’s Finals run last season.
Rumors swirled about whether Plum would be traded after Annie Costabile of The Athletic reported that the five-time All-Star would not re-sign with the Sparks next season. This week, Marisa Ingemi of the Los Angeles Times reported that Plum would “most likely” be traded by Sunday.
The Sparks are sending Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, via @ShamsCharania & @kendra__andrews pic.twitter.com/L82SNYcuHd
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) August 2, 2026
Plum Headlines Blockbuster Trade
Plum’s tenure with the Sparks comes to a close after the WNBA star spent just under two years with the franchise. Plum, 31, was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2017 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars, and played for the Stars/Las Vegas Aces until 2024. A two-time WNBA champion with Las Vegas, Plum was eventually traded to Los Angeles in a three-team deal that sent Jewell Loyd to the Aces.
It was a disappointing first season for Plum in Los Angeles, as the Sparks finished 21-23 and narrowly missed out on the playoffs. Despite the record, Plum delivered career highs in points (19.5 PPG) and assists (5.7 APG) through 43 games.
It’s clear that Plum understands the business side of basketball.
“I play for the Sparks, so on Sunday, I’m going to suit up and I’m going to give them whatever minute restriction, fill-the-blank-in minutes of hell, coming off the bench,” Plum said in practice on Thursday. “I’m actually really excited about it.”
After the collective bargaining agreement was finalized, Plum signed a one-year, $999,999 deal to return to the Sparks for the 2026 season. In an attempt to stay competitive, Los Angeles re-signed veteran Nneka Ogwumike and traded Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins.
End of an Era
It’s been a lackluster season for the Sparks, who are clear sellers at the deadline. At 10-17, they sit in 11th place and remain 5.5 games back of the New York Liberty for the 8th and final playoff seed. Los Angeles has proven itself as one of the most disappointing franchises in the WNBA this season, headlined by injuries and historically poor defense.
Talk about pulling the plug, the franchise recently parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley, although Lynne Roberts remains the head coach. Despite the efforts of Plum, Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell, the Purple and Gold will look to rebuild the franchise without Plum.
Voted a WNBA All-Star for the fifth time, Plum missed 15 games this season due to ankle and lower leg injuries. Nevertheless, the California native is averaging career bests in her second season with the Sparks. Through 12 games, Plum has put up 23.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, while shooting 52.8% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc.
In 290 career regular-season games, Plum is averaging 15.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists since 2017.
Why the Mercury?
Arguably, her best performance of the season came, ironically, against the Mercury on June 13. In that matchup, Plum delivered a career-high 43 points, seven assists, and shot 14-of-26 from the field in the Sparks’ 111-102 OT victory over the Mercury.
Now, she will join forces with Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Kahleah Copper, who are one season removed from a WNBA Finals loss against Plum’s former team, the Aces. It’s unclear whether Plum will re-sign next season and remain on the West Coast, or if this move is simply a rental.
All along, Plum was linked to the Golden State Valkyries, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, and most recently, the Mercury. The blockbuster trade is head-turning, as the Mercury have regressed this season with a current 11-19 record. As they sit 12th in the standings, Phoenix remains six games back for the final playoff spot.
How Will Plum Fit in Phoenix?
Phoenix is coming off a 94-92 loss to the Liberty and has just 14 games remaining in the regular season. While not impossible, the playoffs look distant as eight of the remaining opponents are above .500. They give up a young defensive guard in Akoa Makani and multiple draft picks. Through 30 games, the Mercury rank 12th in offensive rating (104.7) and could use an elite scorer after the departure of Satou Sabally last season. Defensively, they rank near the bottom of the standings.
This move makes more sense if the Mercury and Plum agree to a deal beyond 2026. Both Copper and Thomas signed multi-year contracts, keeping them on the books until 2027 and 2028. Key players such as Bonner, Valeriane Ayayi, and Lexi Held are due to become free agents at the end of this season.
A half-season rental doesn’t make sense for the Mercury, but a future deal with Plum could put Phoenix possibly right back into contention. My only concern would be who serves as the primary ball-handler: Thomas or Plum? If the Mercury want to contend this season, they acquired one of the WNBA’s best shot creators who also has the ability to craftily drive downhill. Possessing one of the WNBA’s quickest left-handed jump-shot releases, Plum hasn’t laced up since June 21. With minimal games remaining, is she fully healthy and able to push Phoenix into the playoffs?
More to come on the developing story. Updated as of Sunday, August 2 at 3:50 a.m. ET. The trade deadline will conclude at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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