Intro
The Los Angeles Sparks traded five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani and future draft picks.
LOS ANGELES
The basketball world is buzzing following a major roster shakeup just before the league’s trade deadline. The Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to send five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick, and a 2028 second-round draft selection.
Plum, who is set to celebrate her 32nd birthday later this month, has spent a large portion of the current season sidelined. She has been out of action since late June due to an unfortunate left leg injury. Before getting hurt, she was having an incredible individual campaign, putting up career-best numbers with 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game. However, various physical setbacks limited her to only 12 appearances during her ninth professional year. She previously missed time in May and June due to a bothersome ankle problem before the lower leg issue stopped her momentum entirely.
Throughout her impressive career, the veteran guard has established herself as one of the elite talents in women’s professional basketball. Across nearly nine seasons and 290 regular-season games, she has maintained solid averages of 15.5 points and 4.4 assists. Her resume also includes winning a prestigious Sixth Player of the Year award and securing back-to-back league championships during her successful tenure with Las Vegas. Selected first overall in the 2017 draft out of the University of Washington, she has consistently been named an All-Star year after year.
Meanwhile, the incoming Makani brings youthful energy to Los Angeles. The 25-year-old guard has shown great promise during her second season in the league, posting notable averages of 9.7 points and 2.5 assists per game for Phoenix.
Both teams find themselves fighting to improve their standing as the regular season heats up. The Sparks currently hold a 10-17 record, sitting several games outside the playoff picture, while the Mercury stand close behind at 11-19. Fans and analysts alike are now eager to see how this blockbuster trade will reshape the playoff race down the home stretch and how quickly Plum can return to full health to help her new squad.