New York, Phoenix, and Atlanta have all inquired on Kelsey Plum, who plans to play Sunday, 30 minutes after the WNBA trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET.
The New York Liberty are among the teams that have expressed interest in Kelsey Plum ahead of Sunday's trade deadline, multiple sources told the New York Post's Madeline Kenney. The Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream have also been in on the Los Angeles Sparks guard, according to the same report.
Plum entered the market after The Athletic's Annie Costabile reported on July 28 that she does not intend to re-sign with Los Angeles as a free agent. Costabile reported at the time that the Sparks had not engaged in meaningful trade talks.
Los Angeles is 10-17 and 11th in the league standings, five games behind the eighth-place Liberty. The Sparks have lost six in a row and parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley on July 12. Los Angeles has not reached the playoffs since 2020.
Before this season, Los Angeles added Nneka Ogwumike and Ariel Atkins. The Sparks rank 14th in the WNBA in defensive rating at 113.0.
Plum arrived in a three-team trade in early 2025 that sent Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces and the second overall pick in the 2025 draft to the Seattle Storm. Seattle used that selection on Dominique Malonga.
The first overall pick of the 2017 draft, Plum is second in the league in scoring at 23.9 points per game. She has added 2.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists across 12 appearances. She has shot 52.7% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range, her best mark from deep since 2023. Plum earned a fifth consecutive All-Star selection this season and was replaced on the roster by Kahleah Copper.
Plum signed a one-year deal worth $999,999 to return to Los Angeles for 2026 under the new collective bargaining agreement, which set the team salary cap at $7 million. She was eligible for a supermax contract at $1.4 million.
A lower left leg injury has kept Plum out since June 21. She took part in a full practice Thursday for the first time in five weeks. Speaking with a small group of reporters afterward, Plum was asked about the trade speculation.
"The thing about professional sports is like it's business. At the end of the day, people have to do what's best for them and I respect that. And I'm not taking anything personal. For me, I'm gonna be where my feet are," Plum said. "I play for the Sparks so on Sunday, I'm going to suit up and I'm going to give them whatever minute restriction, fill the blank in minutes of hell, coming off the bench. I'm actually really excited about it."
Los Angeles visits the Portland Fire at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, half an hour after the deadline passes.
New York entered Saturday's game at Phoenix with a 16-13 record. The Liberty lost 104-99 at Las Vegas on Thursday and beat the Sparks 113-109 in Los Angeles on July 28. Talks with the Connecticut Sun about forward Aneesah Morrow have cooled, Kenney reported this week. Costabile reported that Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who is playing on an expiring contract and has appeared in 17 games while averaging 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds, has come up in league conversations as well.
Phoenix is 11-18 and 10th in the standings. Atlanta is 18-10 and second in the Eastern Conference.
Leonie Fiebich has not played since July 3 because of a left foot injury. Satou Sabally has been in concussion protocol since taking a hit to the face from Las Vegas forward NaLyssa Smith on June 23. Marine Johannes was listed as questionable with a left ankle injury before Thursday's game in Las Vegas.
New York hosts Seattle on Monday and again Wednesday. The trade window closes at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
