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Three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum will be taking her talents out of Las Vegas after she was reportedly traded. According to Shams Charania, Plum has been traded to the LA Sparks in a deal that also includes six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd as part of a three-team blockbuster deal.
The Seattle Storm, who are giving up Loyd in this deal, will receive center Li Yueru and the second pick in the 2025 WNBA draft from the Sparks. Additionally, the Sparks now own the ninth pick which originally belonged to the Storm. The Aces will also get the first pick of the second round from the Sparks.
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With the acquisition of Plum, the Sparks acquired an All-Star caliber guard while the Las Vegas Aces found an immediate replacement in Jewell Loyd. The off-season is far from over and there could be a few more moves in the Sparks horizon.
However, this is what their depth chart looks like as it currently stands.
The Sparks have acquired a perennial All-Star with the addition of Kelsey Plum but there are still some things to address before the 2025 season begins.
One key area for the Sparks is their lack of depth in the front court, starting with the center position. Li Yueru was the only true center on LA's roster, and now that she has been traded to the Storm, they find themselves lacking here.
They also need to find more forwards to fill gaps in their lineup. Especially considering that Cameron Brink is likely not going to play at the beginning of the season as she continues to recover from her torn ACL.
LA is quite stocked in the backcourt, so it won't come as a surprise if they end up trading a guard or two to address other roster needs. They also have the ninth pick, which originally belonged to Seattle, as well as the first and third pick of the third round.
Also read: Kelsey Plum rocks all-black leather pants in 'Lil variety' post amid increasing trade buzz
Kelsey Plum will be suiting up for a different team for the first time in her WNBA career
Kelsey Plum was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Stars in 2017. After her rookie season, the Stars were bought by MGM and subsequently moved to Las Vegas to become the Aces.
All players who were still under contract with the Stars when the move happened became members of the Aces, including Plum. In technical terms, her being traded to the Sparks is the first time that the three-time All-Star is playing for a different franchise.
Plum has had a rather successful run with the Aces, especially following her return after sitting out the 2020 season due to an Achilles injury.
In her first season back, Plum played 26 games, all off the bench, and averaged 14.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Her performance resulted in her winning the Sixth Woman of the Year award.
She has followed up that breakout season with steady improvement and has been named an All-Star in each of the last three seasons (2022-2024). Kelsey Plum was also instrumental in helping the Aces win back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
