Kelsey Plum Heads to Phoenix Mercury
The Los Angeles Sparks traded All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury. The trade includes a first-round pick next year, Monique Akoa Makani, and a second-round draft choice in 2028. ESPN first reported the deal, finalized just ahead of Sunday’s 2 p.m. trade deadline.
Trading an All-Star like Plum mid-season is uncommon. “Kelsey is one of the league’s most dynamic players,” Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren stated. “Her shooting, explosiveness, and decision-making make her one of the league’s most complete guards.” Plum, who has been inactive due to a lower leg injury since June 21, was expected to play for the Sparks on Sunday before the trade.
Plum’s new team, the Mercury, faces the Chicago Sky on Monday. Phoenix currently stands at 11-19, trailing eighth-place New York Liberty by six games.
Akoa Makani, traded to the Sparks, averages 9.4 points and 2.5 assists this season over 16 games, battling a hamstring injury earlier this year.
Aneesah Morrow Joins Toronto Tempo
In another trade, the Toronto Tempo acquired forward Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun. The Tempo sent their second-round draft pick in 2028 and the rights to Maria Kliundikova to the Sun. Morrow, a Chicago native, is recognized for her rebounding prowess and averages 11.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this season.
Monica Wright Rogers, Tempo general manager, expressed excitement about Morrow’s addition, praising her competitive nature and frontcourt talent.
Kliundikova, who the Tempo received in the expansion draft, has previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx, showing steady performance in her career.
This season, the Tempo ranks 12th with a 10-18 record, troubled by injuries to key players, including guard Brittney Sykes and rookie Kiki Rice, who recently returned from a two-month ankle injury.
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