Kelsey Plum, a two-time WNBA champion and five-time All-Star, was traded by the Los Angeles Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 1 in a move that surprised many throughout the league.
An ESPN report said the trade sends guard Monique Akoa Makini to LA along with a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Plum joined the Sparks after playing the 2024 season with the Las Vegas Aces.
Plum is averaging 23.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 2026. However, she has not played since June 21, when she sustained a lower left leg injury, according to the team.
Makini averaged 9.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 19 games with the Mercury.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury
at center of surprising WNBA trade
