Sources: Sparks deal All-Star G 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 off five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Mercury in a deal that brings in some significant draft capital and a young player in Monique Akoa Makani. For Plum, this marks a new chapter in her career, and she'll now be suiting up alongside the likes of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner in Phoenix.
This move has major implications for the Sparks' roster and future plans. By trading away a proven star like Plum, they're clearly looking to rebuild and reload for the long haul. The haul they got in return - a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder - suggests they're thinking about the future and willing to take on some risk to reshape their team. Meanwhile, the Mercury are making a clear push to contend now, adding a talented scorer like Plum to their already-stacked roster.
So what's next to watch? The Sparks' offseason plans are now a major storyline, as fans will be eager to see how they fill the void left by Plum's departure. Will they make more moves to shake up the roster, or focus on developing their young players? Meanwhile, the Mercury are now firmly in the WNBA title conversation - can they live up to expectations and make a deep playoff run with their new-look roster? Stay tuned to see how this deal plays out on the court.
Originally reported by espn.com. TourNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.