Kelsey Plum reportedly traded to Mercury as Sparks decide to tear it down

The Los Angeles Sparks tried to speed up their rebuild in 2025, when the team acquired star Kelsey Plum in a trade. While the team did improve in Plum's first season, the Sparks took a major step back in 2026, leading to the team sending Plum to the Phoenix Mercury late Saturday night, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Reportedly going back to Los Angeles are guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder.

Plum, 31, is averaging a career-best 23.9 points in 12 games this season. She joins a Mercury team currently 12th in the WNBA’s standings at 11-19, but clearly looking to win now with a veteran core already featuring Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner.

Despite Plum's best efforts, the Sparks entered the All-Star break sitting at 10-16 and on a five-game losing streak. With the playoffs looking unlikely, reports emerged suggesting Plum could be moved. Those seemed to intensify after it was reported Plum — who signed a one-year, $999,999 deal to return to the Sparks last offseason — had no desire to re-sign with the team, per The Athletic.

But with the trade deadline fast approaching, the Sparks had not engaged in serious trade talks involving Plum as of late July, according to The Athletic.

Plum's health may have played a role in that decision. After getting out to a strong start, Plum missed three games at the end of May due to an ankle injury. She returned to action for just six games before sustaining a lower leg injury.

That injury kept Plum sidelined for over a month. With days left until the trade deadline, Plum had not appeared in a game since June 21. She did, however, return to practice July 30, just days before the deadline.

Additionally, the Sparks fired general manager Raegan Pebley on July 12, giving the job to assistants Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen. The front-office uncertainly may have added to the team's reluctance to ship out Plum earlier in July.

As long as Plum is healthy, she should be a fantastic acquisition down the stretch. Prior to 2026, Plum was coming off four-straight All-Star appearances. Despite her injury, Plum still managed to make the All-Star team in 2026, though was unable to play in the actual game.

In her five seasons prior to 2026, Plum averaged 18.4 points and 4.7 assists per game. Even if she regresses to those numbers, she'll still be incredibly valuable in the run to the playoffs.