“Might as Well Be the Kevin Durant to Phoenix Trade” – Sparks Trading Kelsey Plum to Mercury Has Left Fans Puzzled

Kelsey Plum was traded in the dead of night by the Los Angeles Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury.

“Might as Well Be the Kevin Durant to Phoenix Trade” – Sparks Trading Kelsey Plum to Mercury Has Left Fans Puzzled

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (Image via FirstSportz)

Kelsey Plum has established herself as one of the best point guards in the league today. She was drafted by the San Antonio Stars, later renamed the Las Vegas Aces, as the number one pick in the 2017 WNBA draft.

She has achieved a lot of success during her eight years in the WNBA. After entering the league in 2017, she played for the Stars/Aces for seven seasons. Alongside A’ja Wilson, the two created a strong partnership and were one of the most formidable duos in the league over the last few years.

However, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks last year in a three-team trade. But it looks like her stint in LA turned out to be a short one, as she has already been traded to the Phoenix Mercury.

NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news of the trade.

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder.

Shams Charania on X

Plum entered the league with a lot of pressure and expectations as she was a number one pick. While she has never been the “best player in the league” throughout her career, she has achieved a lot of success.

She helped the Aces win back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. She even helped Team USA win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Many believed her career was in jeopardy when she suffered an Achilles Tendon injury in 2020. But she bounced back strongly and has been a regular in the All-Star Game since.

She has five All-Star appearances to her name, including this year. Till the trade, she was averaging 23.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 12 appearances this season.

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Fans react to Kelsey Plum getting traded to the Phoenix Mercury

Plum was in the final year of her contract with the Sparks. Hence, instead of losing her as a free agent, they decided to cash in on whatever they could get by trading her.

The trade got WNBA fans scratching their heads as the 31-year-old was having her best season in terms of her individual numbers.

The trade has left WNBA fans puzzled. It is undoubtedly the biggest midseason trade of the year so far.

Kelsey Plum’s trade to Phoenix is a head-scratcher

The Phoenix Mercury currently sit at 12th place in the WNBA standings with a 11-19 record. Meanwhile, the Sparks are just one place above at 11th. The trade did leave many bemused because of how much they gave up for the All-Star guard.

With the Mercury almost certain of missing the playoffs, the decision to trade a 2027 first-round pick in next year’s WNBA Draft got everyone confused, as Plum was in the final year of her contract.

Kelsey Plum was voted 12th-best guard
Kelsey Plum (Image via Sparks/X)

NBC Sports Kylen Mills was left scratching her head after the trade.

This trade is a head scratcher. The Mercury are 6 games out of the last playoff spot with 14 games to go, and they traded for a rental player whose contract is up. And they gave up their 1st round pick in a LOADED 2027 class. Kelsey Plum must be signing an extension. Meanwhile the Sparks could have gotten more for Plum.

Kylen Mills on X

Plum has been in the trade rumors over the last few weeks. While she is having her best individual season, averaging a career-high in points and assists, the Mercury will be losing their high draft pick to the Sparks. The deal marks just the fourth time in league history an All-Star has been traded during the season.

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