RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sourcesKelsey Plum trade details: Sparks send All-Star guard to Mercury in WNBA blockbuster originally appeared on The Sporting News .
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Early on Sunday morning, Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum was traded to the Phoenix Mercury for G Monique Akoa Makani and two future picks, according to Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews .
When the sports world woke up this morning, they had received two new messages about the WNBA's playoff picture. First, Los Angeles was committing to their future in trading away their star player, who was averaging career bests. Next, the Mercury told the league they were rolling the dice for a dash at the final playoff spot this year.
After this season, Plum will be an unrestricted free agent, meaning she will need a new contract. She will turn 32 on August 24.
Here's the rundown of Plum's departure from the City of Angels and who Phoenix gave in return.
MORE: WNBA live trades, rumors tracker
Kelsey Plum trade details
Mercury acquire :
G Kelsey Plum
Sparks acquire :
G Monique Akoa Makani
2027 first-round pick
2028 second-round pick
Plum is heading to Phoenix, but one of the more interesting aspects of this deal is that Los Angeles landed Makani, who is only 25 years old, and two future draft selections, per Charania and Andrews.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews . pic.twitter.com/0HvWAsrPGJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2026 The trade sends Plum, who is averaging career bests virtually across the board this season, will be a free agent after this season. According to ESPN , however, staying in Phoenix after this campaign "is not off the table" for the newest member of the Mercury.
MORE: Trade grades for Sparks, Mercury after Plum move
Why did the Sparks trade Kelsey Plum?
While Phoenix is currently below the Sparks in the standings, there are some reasons why the Sparks traded their star away to their conference foe. After the 2026 WNBA season, Plum will be an unrestricted free agent at age 32. The guard, who is currently on a one-year, $999,999 deal according to Spotrac , has been lights out this year on the hardwood.
In other terms, a big payday could be coming Plum's way, and Los Angeles may prefer to capitalize on opportunities regarding the franchise's future.
The Sparks are getting a young, 25-year-old guard in Akoa Makani, who is in her second year of WNBA play. In addition to the Bafang, Cameroon native, Los Angeles also received a 2027 first-round and 2028 second-round pick to bolster their roster with more young players in the upcoming seasons.
With Los Angeles sitting five games back from the New York Liberty in the final playoff spot, the franchise decided to wave the white flag this season and bank on its future generation to bring the team back to WNBA dominance.
MORE : 9 WNBA players most likely to be traded
Kelsey Plum stats
Here are Plum's averages from her nine-year career in the WNBA, per Basketball Reference .
Season Games Minutes Points Rebounds Assists Steals FG% 3FG% FT% 2026 12 34.5 23.9 2.2 6.4 1.2 52.7% 38.3% 80.6% CAREER 290 30.0 15.5 2.6 4.4 0.9 43.6% 38.4% 87.9%
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.