PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury reportedly made one of the biggest moves ahead of the WNBA trade deadline Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews. pic.twitter.com/0HvWAsrPGJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2026
Jun 13, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives past Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews, the Mercury are acquiring five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
The trade gives Phoenix one of the league’s premier offensive guards as the Mercury look to strengthen their playoff push while sitting just a few games behind the final playoff spot. Plum has been one of the WNBA’s best scorers this season, averaging a career-best 23.9 points, 6.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds despite missing time with a lower-leg injury.
She is shooting 52.7% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range.
Jun 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) brings the basketball up the court against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
In return, Los Angeles receives Akoa Makani, who spent a season and a half in the Valley after entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2025. She became a major contributor during the Mercury’s run to the WNBA Finals that same year. This season, she’s averaging 9.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
The move underscores Phoenix’s urgency to compete now, even after a turbulent first half of the season. Plum’s ability to create her own shot, facilitate the offense and stretch defenses with her perimeter shooting gives the Mercury another proven star alongside their veteran core.
May 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives on Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
For the Sparks, the deal provides a promising young guard and valuable draft capital as the franchise continues to build for the future. With Plum set to become one of the biggest names on the trade market, Los Angeles capitalized on the opportunity to add long-term assets while Phoenix bolstered its roster for a playoff push.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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