With Kelsey Plum’s future with the Sparks being uncertain, the franchise made the bold decision to trade her to the Mercury at the deadline.
In return, LA received Monique Akoa Makani and Phoenix’s 2027 first round pick. While Akoa Makani is not a guard of Plum’s caliber, she could be a better long-term fit.
She has plenty of room to grow and has already contributed to winning, playing during clutch time in LA’s come-from-behind victory on the road against Minnesota.
During a recent practice, Sparks
head coach Lynne Roberts fawned over her newest backcourt player.
“She’s an explosive athlete,” Roberts said. “I think it’s a great trade. I think we got a really good one. She’s only in the second year of her contract, has played a lot of basketball internationally, isn’t afraid of the moment, just really poised. And in that game down the stretch in Minnesota, she was phenomenal defensively. So good. Hit a couple big shots too, got a couple and-ones, we’re pleased with her.”
Akoa Makani wasn’t exactly set up to succeed in that matchup against the Lynx. Not only was it her second game with the Sparks, but they were facing a Minnesota team with the WNBA’s best record and on a 10-game winning streak.
Still, her talent shined.
With 1:18 left to play, Akoa Makani drilled a long two over Courtney Williams to make it a two-possession game. Throughout the contest, she had quality defensive shifts and logged 19 minutes, the second-most among bench players for LA.
Hitting the ground running with a new team is tough, but Monique has focused on being a sponge, absorbing as much information as possible.
“I try to rely a lot on my teammates, to be honest,” Akoa Makani said after a recent Sparks practice. “Anytime I have a question, they’re always there to help me out. Even on the court, I like a lot of feedback and they’re very good at giving me feedback. I think I’m still adjusting, even throughout the games, to be able to help and bring my little contributions.”
Not only are the logistics of getting traded and playing immediately thereafter a challenge, but there’s also the human element. Getting traded can’t feel good. It’s an indication that the franchise you are on doesn’t want you and prefers someone else.
However, the counterpoint is that the other side desires you. On social media, Akoa Makani unpacked this a bit, sharing that she’s felt welcomed in Los Angeles.
This is the beginning of what could be a long partnership between Monique and the Sparks. The franchise made this trade to avoid losing Plum for nothing, but also to acquire draft capital and young talent.
Only in her second WNBA season, Akoa Makani is a player with an unknown ceiling. With her defensive skill set and shooting 40.7% from 3-point range, she fits the archetype every team desires on the perimeter.
While the Sparks have continued starting games with Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins at guard, Monique has made it clear she wants a bigger role.
“My mentality coming into this team is definitely for them to know that I’m here to start,” Akoa Makani said. “Whatever they need for me to be able to win games, I will be able to do that no matter what.”
Hopefully, with what’s left of the season, she gets to make the case to start and, more importantly, begins to cement herself as part of the future here in LA.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
