Sparks trade former UW star Kelsey Plum to Mercury

The Los Angeles Sparks traded All-Star guard and former UW Huskies star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for a first-round pick next year, Monique Akoa Makani and a second-round draft choice in 2028, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the trade.

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The deal was finalized late Saturday night ahead of Sunday’s trade deadline and was first reported by ESPN. It’s rare for an All-Star to be traded in the middle of the season, only happening a handful of times before Saturday night.

Plum, who is a free agent at the end of this season, has been sidelined since June 21 because of a lower leg injury. She practiced earlier this week and was expected to play Sunday in the Sparks’ game against Portland before getting traded. Phoenix’s next game is Monday at Chicago.

Plum, the all-time leading scorer in UW women’s basketball history, was averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists before getting hurt. Los Angeles has struggled without her, including its last six games.

Phoenix is currently sitting at 11-19 and is six games behind the New York Liberty, who sit in eighth place. New York edged Phoenix 94-92 on Saturday.

The Mercury are coming off a WNBA Finals appearance last season, but have seldom looked like that team despite returning stars Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper.

Akoa Makani is averaging 9.4 points and 2.5 assists this season in 16 games. She was injured earlier in the season with a hamstring issue.

Los Angeles acquired Plum before last season in a blockbuster deal that sent the No. 2 pick to Seattle. The Sparks had hoped they could accelerate a rebuilding effort. Seattle used that pick on Dominique Malonga, who was an All-Star this season.

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