Kelsey Plum Says She’s Not Taking Trade Talk Personally as Sparks’ Future Hangs in the Balance

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum fielded questions on Thursday about mounting speculation that the franchise could move her before the WNBA trade deadline on Sunday. Plum, who has missed action since a lower-left-leg injury reported on June 21, said she will suit up for the team’s next road game against the Portland Fire and emphasized that any potential deal is “out of her control.”

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The Sparks entered the 2026 season aiming to accelerate a rebuild that began with the 2024 draft of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. After trading the No. 2 pick for Plum ahead of the 2025 campaign, the team added veterans Nneka Ogwumike and Ariel Atkins, while also moving Jackson. The franchise is now 10-17, enduring a six-game losing streak and a 2-9 record without Plum. Front-office turbulence intensified after general manager Raegan Pebley’s departure; assistant GMs Zack Knowlton and Nate Nielsen have been installed on an interim basis, and owner Mark Walter’s group has leaned on executive Farhan Zaidi as a special advisor.

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Plum framed the situation as a business reality, noting, “The thing about professional sports is it’s business,” and added that she respects any decision that benefits the organization. She reiterated her focus on playing at the highest level for the Sparks, stating that unknown factors lie “outside of my control.”

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• “The thing about professional sports is it's business,” — Kelsey Plum

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• “At the end of the day, people have to do what's best for them, and I respect that. And I'm not taking anything personal. For me, I'm going to be where my feet are.” — Kelsey Plum

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• “There's a lot of things that are in the unknown, and those are things outside of my control,” — Kelsey Plum

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• “We pushed in a lot of chips this year, and we had good reason to do that, but the reality is it hasn't gone as we'd hoped or expected,” — Farhan Zaidi, executive

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The Sparks are expected to field Plum in the upcoming game against Portland, after which the league’s trade deadline on Sunday will determine whether she remains in Los Angeles or joins another franchise—potentially the Golden State Valkyries, who have so far resisted parting with multiple key contributors. Executive Zaidi has signaled that the organization is “open for anything” and must adopt a long-term perspective as it evaluates its options beyond the current season.

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