Sources: Sparks trade All-Star Plum to Mercury
The Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources told ESPN.
The WNBA landscape just got a whole lot more interesting. The Sparks are shipping out five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Mercury in a deal that brings back a haul of draft picks and a young player in Monique Akoa Makani. For Plum, this marks a new chapter in her career, and she joins a Mercury team looking to make a deep playoff run.
This move is all about roster construction and future planning. The Sparks are clearly looking to rebuild and restock their shelves with young talent, and they're getting a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder to do so. It's a bold move, but one that could pay off in the long run. Meanwhile, the Mercury are betting on Plum to help lead them to a championship. With a strong supporting cast, Plum could be the piece that puts them over the top.
So what's next? Keep an eye on how Plum meshes with the Mercury's core players, including Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Can she help lead them to a title? Meanwhile, the Sparks will be interesting to watch as they continue to rebuild and develop their young players. Will Makani be a key contributor, or is she a piece to be used in future trades? The WNBA offseason is always full of surprises, and this trade is just the beginning.
Originally reported by espn.com. SportsNewsNow adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.