Kelsey Plum shouts out Seattle as WNBA trade rumors surrounding Aces future pick up steam

WNBA star Kelsey Plum on Saturday reflected on the city of Seattle and acknowledged Seattle Storm fans amid speculation surrounding her free agency.

Plum was in Washington to attend her jersey retirement ceremony with the University of Washington (UW), located in Seattle. Plum’s No. 10 Huskies jersey is the first ever to be retired in the history of Washington women’s basketball.

"I'm just so grateful to be here," Plum said. "It just feels like a full-circle moment. Just really proud to represent this university. And honestly, just the people here at brunch and then of course during the game today. I just feel really grateful."

The two-time WNBA champion also praised the city of Seattle and expressed her appreciation for the support of Seattle basketball fans as she transitioned to the professional level. She noted her connection with Storm fans:

"I felt like coming into the WNBA from Washington, just having the support (of) Seattle, a basketball city. Obviously, they're Storm fans but they're still 'U-Dub' fans so that's always been a really cool connection."

Kelsey Plum spent four years at UW from 2013 to 2017 before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft by the San Antonio Stars. The team relocated to Las Vegas a season later. The star expressed her appreciation for her time at UW.

"So many amazing human beings here on campus, I feel like I really developed a lot of character here, and it just really helped me in the next level," Plum said. "So, I would just say the relationships that I made here, like I said earlier I'm forever grateful for it and I'm proud to be a dog."

Kelsey Plum is possibly moving on from the Las Vegas Aces

Kelsey Plum has been one of the most talked-about free agents this offseason. Even though the Las Vegas Aces have designated her as a core player, insiders believe a sign-and-trade deal with another team is still possible.

Several reports have suggested Plum could move on from the Aces. Callie Fin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Plum declined a contract extension, fueling speculation about her departure.

"It does seem like the most likely scenario that Kesley Plum would move on from the Aces," Fin reported. "She did not sign an extension and former general manager Natalie Williams told me before she and the Aces parted ways that you know Kelsey was offered an extension and declined."

Speculation about Kelsey Plum's future began immediately after the Aces were eliminated last season. When reporters asked head coach Becky Hammon about potential offseason moves, Hammon hinted at changes to the roster.

"It's not going to be the same group probably next year, it just won't," Hammon said. "And I'm sad about that because I really liked that group. They were a pain in my a**, but I was a pain in their a** too. I like that group. I love that group."

On Jan. 4, WNBA insider Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times suggested that the Seattle Storm is one of the destinations that makes the most sense for the three-time WNBA All-Star.

"If Plum moves, the West Coast makes the most immediate sense. One interesting scenario is a sign-and-trade that lands the three-time All-Star in Seattle and brings (Jewell) Loyd to Vegas," Costabile wrote.

Costabile also mentioned the LA Sparks as another possible destination, despite the team being a non-contender. On Jan. 9, she noted that the Chicago Sky could target Kelsey Plum, citing her connection with new coach Tyler Marsh, who was part of the Aces’ coaching staff during their championship runs in 2022 and 2023.