Multiple outlets report that the Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury. The reported deal sends Plum to Phoenix in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani and draft compensation, including a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. ESPN is cited as the first outlet to report the trade, and league sources are referenced by The Athletic as confirmation of the trade details.
The reports frame the move as part of the Sparks’ broader roster direction. The Athletic notes that Plum will be a free agent after the current season and that she has played in 12 games in 2026, ranking second in the league in scoring. Yahoo Sports also highlights that Plum is averaging a career-best 23.9 points per game through 12 games this season.
Some coverage adds that the Sparks acquired Plum in the 2025 offseason, after trading the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft (which became Dominique Malonga) in an effort to shift from their rebuild toward playoff contention.
