In a move that will surely electrify the City of Angels, reports from ESPN suggest that the Los Angeles Sparks have acquired All-Star guard Kelsey Plum from the Las Vegas Aces.
The deal was part of a three-team trade, which also saw six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd head to the Aces, with the Seattle Storm receiving the No. 2 draft pick and center Li Yueru in exchange.
Adding Plum will give the Sparks a guard who averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists last season, a much-needed boost to their personnel following a league-worst 8-32 record last season.
The 30-year-old will also bring seven seasons’ worth of WNBA experience to a young Sparks team that features second-year standouts Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Despite a statistically down season in 2024, she was a key player in Las Vegas’ back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023.
With the decision to part with the No. 2 pick along with replacing their coach in November, it appears the Sparks are favoring a commitment to immediate success. Their ever-increasing star power is setting them up for a playoff entrance for the first time since 2020, and the mix of experience and youth may be just what they need.
Plum, a California native, was picked No. 1 overall by the Storm at the 2015 WNBA Draft and built a resume of two championships, Rookie of the Year, three All-WNBA selections, and six All-Star selections.
For the Aces, the blow of losing Plum is softened by replacing her with a two-time WNBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jewell Loyd. While the Aces fell short of their three-peat attempt last season, adding Loyd’s shooting ability alongside A’ja Wilson will undoubtedly make them competitive again next season.
Loyd recently requested a trade after she was cleared of allegations of bullying and harassment against the Storm coaching staff.
Should the deal be completed, it will not be made official until February 1st.
