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Sparks Trade Kelsey Plum to Mercury for Makani, Picks

8/4/2026

26 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Los Angeles Sparks traded guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Plum signed a $999,999 contract, will wear No. 0, and is slated to debut Monday night versus the Chicago Sky for about 20 minutes.
Phoenix, 11-19, gave up the 2027 first-rounder; a missed playoff could let the Sparks turn it into two lottery picks.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA began in 1997 with eight franchises—including the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury—Lisa Leslie was allocated to the Sparks in January and debuted in June, giving the league star power. The league’s early player moves, like Leslie’s allocation, foreshadow today’s Sparks trade of guard Kelsey Plum to Phoenix.

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Story summary

The Los Angeles Sparks traded guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
Plum signed a $999,999 contract, will wear No. 0, and is slated to debut Monday night versus the Chicago Sky for about 20 minutes.
Phoenix, 11-19, gave up the 2027 first-rounder; a missed playoff could let the Sparks turn it into two lottery picks.

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