Kelsey Plum becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The Phoenix Mercury made a blockbuster and risky trade with the Los Angeles Sparks, trading Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick for Kelsey Plum.
The trade is risky because Plum becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
According to ESPN, Plum intends to go through the full free agency process in the offseason, which means Phoenix could lose her for nothing after giving up assets to acquire her.
Before making her Mercury debut against the Chicago Sky, Plum spoke about the trade and her future with Phoenix.
"I was overwhelmed," Plum said, via ESPN. "All of this happened very fast [and it was] very unexpected. ... It's been a crazy 48 hours but to be received like that by my teammates, from the staff, from the organization, I'm just super grateful. ... As far as the long-term stuff, it sounds cliché, but I am just where my feet are."
Plum played very well in her Phoenix debut against Chicago. She finished with 20 points and four assists in 21 minutes while shooting 6-of-10 from the field, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.
"I'm coming in being very adaptable ... having a level of humility," Plum said. "[Copper and Thomas] are great players and they play with great players. So I'm trying to learn fast and not make the same mistake twice. I have to trust my instincts. ... I've played with a lot of great players before so it's just being decisive. ... It'll come easier than people expect."
The Mercury improved to 12-19 on the season after beating the Sky. Phoenix sits a few spots out of the postseason picture in 10th place, 5½ games behind the Washington Mystics, who occupy the eighth and final seed.
A five-time All-Star, Plum has been in the WNBA since 2017. She was the first pick in the 2017 draft by the San Antonio Stars, who became the Las Vegas Aces in 2018.
Plum won two championships and the 2021 Sixth Player of the Year Award with the Aces. She also made three All-Star teams and one All-WNBA team with Las Vegas.
Plum joined the Sparks in 2025 via a trade with the Aces.
In April, Plum signed a one-year, $999,999 extension with Los Angeles. She was in line for the $1.4 million supermax but opted to sign at a discounted rate to give the Sparks financial flexibility to build a title-contending roster.
However, the Sparks have been a walking disaster this year. They are only 11-17.
Plum holds career averages of 15.5 points per game in the WNBA. She is an Olympic gold medalist with both the 5-on-5 (2024) and 3x3 (2020) U.S. teams.
