RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWNBA trade rumors: 9 players most likely to be traded by 2026 deadline, from Kelsey Plum to Skylar Diggins originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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While not nearly as hectic as trade deadlines in other major North American leagues like the NBA, MLB and NFL, the WNBA's offering has proven increasingly eye-catching in recent campaigns.
Last year, the Mystics dealt All-Star Brittany Sykes to the Storm. The move helped shore up Seattle's postseason ambitions, with Noelle Quinn's bunch pushing the title-winning Aces to the brink before falling in the first round of the postseason.
One year earlier, the Sky sent Marina Mabrey to the Sun. Connecticut fell just short of a WNBA Finals appearance following Mabrey's acquisition. The mercurial guard enjoyed a stunning campaign with Connecticut, garnering Sixth Woman of the Year consideration while coming off the bench.
Simply put, the deadline helps separate contenders from pretenders. Who could find themselves in new uniforms by the end of deadline day? Here's a look at some stars who could be on the move on Aug. 2.
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WNBA players most likely to be traded by 2026 deadline
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kelsey Plum, G, Sparks
Plum, one of the league's most talented scorers, has enjoyed a dazzling campaign in Los Angeles colors, tallying nearly 24 points while posting a glistening 65.3% true shooting rate. That hasn't been enough to push the Sparks up the Western Conference standings. The Sparks sit six games under .500 and eight games out of a potential playoff berth.
A likely All-WNBA first-team candidate, Plum represents one of the few avenues for Los Angeles to secure real draft capital. Her contract expires at the end of the season, and it's unclear whether she's open to returning to Tinseltown beyond the 2026 season. The Sparks made some gambles and lost, seeing trades for Plum and Ariel Atkins fail to deliver title contention as hoped for. Those failures cost former general manager Raegan Pebley her job. Selling Plum at a high price could go a long way in steering Los Angeles toward a sustainable future.
Alyssa Thomas, F, Mercury
Less than a year after appearing in the WNBA Finals, the Mercury are floundering at the cellar of the Western Conference table. Thomas has been near her ebullient best, nearly averaging a triple-double for 10-18 Phoenix. Despite her exploits, her ball-dominant style of play and lack of outside shooting caps her flexibility, likely putting some teams off.
At 34 years old, Thomas' gifts are waning. She's locked down for another two years after this season, so the Mercury would likely have to sweeten the pot to make a Thomas trade go through. Nevertheless, she doesn't really fit the timeline for a team that looks poised to attempt to rebuild in the coming few years.
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Skylar Diggins, G, Sky
Diggins hasn't outright said she wants out of the Windy City. But Tyler Marsh's decision to bench her in favor of aging veteran Courtney Vandersloot prompted Diggins to speak out on social media. Chicago's front office confirmed that it's not actively shopping Diggins. However, it's reasonable to believe the Sky would spring into action if there was any real interest for Diggins, who will turn 36 on Aug. 2.
Diggins is far from her best at this point in her career. She's also been nagged by a knee injury, missing almost the whole of July due to the ailment. The six-time All-WNBA selection likely will not fetch a ton of suitors. Perhaps a guard-needy side will take a leap on Diggins, who has one year left on her deal following this season.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Arike Ogunbowale, G, Wings
Ogunbowale still has admirers in Dallas' front office. But her production has lagged markedly in recent campaigns, with Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd emerging as the present and future of the Wings. Ogunbowale will take home $1.2 million in 2027, a healthy sum that far surpasses her on-court value at this point in her career. She can author eye-catching moments now and then. But a below-league-average true shooting rate does not inspire confidence in Ogunbowale's ability to scale up her play in the postseason. It wouldn't be surprising to see Dallas look for a way out of the Notre Dame product's deal at some point.
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Natasha Cloud, G, Sky
Cloud is fairly reliable presence who has performed admirably on championship-caliber rosters throughout her career. She struggled to find suitors during free agency, waiting until the end of the window to find a home in the Windy City. The 34-year-old has been a steady presence off the bench for the Sky, who could attempt to offload veterans in the hopes of securing draft capital after dealing their 2025, 2026 and 2028 first-round picks (while agreeing to a first-round pick swap with the Mystics in 2027).
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, F, Liberty
Laney-Hamilton doesn't look like the same player she was before tearing her left meniscus. The former All-Star is averaging just 4.7 points per game for New York, which sits two games out of the top spot in the East. At her best, Laney-Hamilton is a strong defender capable of anchoring a title-caliber back line. However, her offensive struggles and inconsistent playing time — Laney-Hamilton failed to appear in New York's Commissioner's Cup triumph over Las Vegas — suggest a move could be best for all parties.
Nneka Ogwumike, F, Sparks
Like Plum, Ogwumike represented one of Los Angeles' biggest splashes. The 36-year-old is enjoying another positive campaign, collecting her 11th All-Star appearance. She looks unlikely to part ways with the franchise she starred...
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