Kelsey Plum trade deadline watch puts Sparks at a franchise fork
The Sparks are 10-17, Plum may not return in free agency, and CBS Sports named three teams that could make a move.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Kelsey Plum trade deadline chatter is getting louder because the Los Angeles Sparks are 10-17, sitting 11th after the All-Star break and five games out of the WNBA’s final playoff spot, according to CBS Sports.
Los Angeles entered 2026 with a win-now push. CBS Sports noted the Sparks re-signed Plum and Dearica Hamby, added Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler, and traded Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins. The result has not matched the plan.
Plum started the season hot but has played only 12 games because of injuries and has not appeared since June 21, CBS Sports reported. Cameron Brink, the former No. 2 pick, has been limited to 19 games and has not found steady rhythm. The Sparks also fired general manager Raegan Pebley earlier this month.
The defense has been another sore spot. Per CBS Sports, Los Angeles has a 113 defensive rating, ranking 14th in the league, despite adding Ogwumike and Atkins.
Will the Sparks trade Kelsey Plum before the deadline?
The WNBA trade deadline is Sunday, Aug. 2, and Plum’s contract situation is the flashing red light. CBS Sports reported that Plum and Ogwumike are set to become unrestricted free agents this winter, while The Athletic reported Plum does not plan to return to Los Angeles.
CBS Sports also reported that the Sparks have not held concrete trade talks involving Plum. Still, coach Lynne Roberts said Tuesday that the team is looking hard at its position.
“When we've been healthy, we've been good. Things have not shaken out how we wanted them to, so we need to evaluate everything,” Roberts said, according to The IX Sports. She added that she would not discuss specific players but said the Sparks are “not where we want to be.”
A trade would give Los Angeles a chance to get value before Plum can leave in free agency. CBS Sports noted the Sparks also own their 2027 first-round pick, giving them a likely path toward a lottery selection if this season continues to slide.
Where could Kelsey Plum be traded?
CBS Sports named three possible landing spots: the Golden State Valkyries, Washington Mystics and Phoenix Mercury.
Golden State Valkyries: CBS Sports called Golden State an obvious fit because the Valkyries need scoring. Plum was averaging 23.9 points before her leg injury, on 52.7 percent shooting, 38.3 percent from 3 and 80.6 percent at the line. Golden State has the league’s best defensive rating at 100.9, according to CBS Sports, but ranks eighth in offensive rating and 13th in true shooting percentage.
Washington Mystics: CBS Sports described Washington as another defense-first team with offensive trouble. The Mystics rank third in defensive rating but 14th in offensive rating, true shooting percentage, 3-point attempts and 3-point percentage. Their young core includes Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin and Lauren Betts, and CBS Sports said they have draft assets that could interest Los Angeles.
Phoenix Mercury: CBS Sports said Phoenix is harder to read. The Mercury are five and a half games behind Washington for the last playoff spot, but Alyssa Thomas is signed through 2028 and Kahleah Copper through 2027. A Plum deal would make more sense, CBS Sports wrote, if Phoenix believed she would re-sign long term.
The biggest issue is price. Plum is making $999,999, according to CBS Sports, and any contender weighing a deal would have to decide how much to give up for a player who could become a short-term rental.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.