Kelsey Plum, a five-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA champion, is officially headed to the Phoenix Mercury in a blockbuster move that dropped just hours before the trade deadline. ESPN reported this shocker, making it only the fourth time in league history an All-Star got moved midseason. The Mercury sent Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-rounder to the Los Angeles Sparks for Plum, who was reportedly the top trade target in the league. But hold up, because for all that, the Mercury somehow scored a “D” grade for the deal. Seriously, a “D.”
What Phoenix Just Got, and What They Gave Up
So, what’s Plum bringing to the desert? A whole lot of game, when she’s on the court. Through June, she was averaging a career-high 23.9 points and 6.4 assists on insane 52.7/38.3/80.6 shooting splits. The Washington alum even snagged her fifth All-Star nod this year despite playing a limited 12 games. She’s been battling injuries, too, sidelined for over a month with a lower leg issue after an earlier ankle injury this season. Before the trade, the Sparks had Plum listed as “probable” for their Sunday afternoon game against the Fire, so her Phoenix debut shouldn’t be far off. The Mercury are set to face the Sky tonight, Sunday night, at 9 p.m. ET.
The “D” Grade and the Stakes for Both Teams
Why the head-scratching “D” grade for Phoenix? Their year has been a trainwreck, worse than even the struggling Sparks. Last season, the Mercury were riding high, with their big three of Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, and Satou Sabally clicking all the way to the WNBA Finals, even if they did get swept by the Aces. But then the offseason hit, Sabally bolted to the Liberty in free agency, and Phoenix added nobody of note. Now, they’re sitting 12th in the standings at 11-19, a massive six games back from the eighth and final playoff spot with only 14 games left to play.
Meanwhile, the Sparks are in full rebuild mode, seemingly. Plum, who signed a one-year, $999,999 contract, wasn’t expected to re-sign anyway, and her one-and-a-half-season tenure in L.A. is over. The Sparks fired GM Raegan Pebley last month, and the team sits 11th at 10-17, 5.5 games back from the playoffs, after going 2-9 since Plum’s injury. She was a key part of the Aces’ 2022 and 2023 championships before being traded to L.A. before the 2025 season.
The Mercury are in real danger. Can Kelsey Plum, even at her career-high numbers, turn around a team that’s six games out of a playoff spot with so few games left? The Mercury face the Sky tonight. All eyes will be on Plum, whenever she hits the floor, to see if this “D” grade trade somehow pays off for a team desperate for a spark.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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