Two off-seasons ago, All-Star guard Kelsey Plum requested a trade from the Las Vegas Aces, a team with which she secured two WNBA titles. She was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January 2025.
Plum shared her thoughts on that decision with Sue Bird last summer. In that offseason, I thought, ‘If you believe you are as good as you think, and can impact the game at the highest level, there’s only one way to find out’,
she recalled.
Despite her efforts to lead the Sparks to their first playoff appearance since 2020, Plum finds herself unable to do it alone due to the team’s questionable personnel choices. This situation fuels speculation about her potential departure.
Plum signed a one-year contract worth $999,999 in free agency. However, sources within the league, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggest that the 31-year-old guard might not re-sign with the Sparks as a free agent, according to a report by Annie Costabile for The Athletic. Both Plum and her agent, Zack Miller of WME Basketball, declined to comment on her future plans.
The WNBA trade deadline is approaching on August 2. Costabile identifies Plum as a prominent trade candidate, though the Sparks have yet to engage in significant trade discussions involving her.
Plum demonstrated exceptional scoring and offensive capabilities at the start of the season, but injuries have curtailed her playtime to 12 games so far. She sprained her ankle in late May, missing a week, and after returning for six games in June, suffered a lower left leg injury that has sidelined her since June 24.
Historically, Plum hasn’t been prone to injuries, suggesting that even if the Sparks choose not to trade her, she will likely attract significant attention in free agency next offseason.