Kelsey Plum is set to join the Los Angeles Sparks as part of a major three-way trade that also involves Jewell Loyd moving to the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm receiving key draft picks, according to multiple sources including LA Times and AP News. The Sparks exchanged the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft and player Li Yueru to Seattle, while acquiring the No. 9 pick and a second-round pick in 2026. In turn, the Aces will receive the 13th pick in the draft.

Plum has played a crucial role in the Aces’ consecutive WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, averaging 17.8 points and 4.2 assists last season. Her designation as the franchise player earlier this year made this trade the only route for her exit from Las Vegas. The six-time All-Star Loyd, who requested a trade from Seattle after a successful tenure with the Storm, averaged an impressive 19.7 points and 4.5 rebounds last season. She was pivotal in helping Seattle secure two championships and a scoring title during her career from 2015 to 2023.

ESPN was the first to report details of the trade, which showcases the dynamic shifts in the WNBA as teams strengthen their rosters ahead of the new season. Las Vegas remains active in the free agency market, looking to build around Loyd, Chelsea Gray, and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson.

Plum’s transfer to Los Angeles not only introduces a seasoned guard to the Sparks but also connects her with fellow former Aces player Dearica Hamby. Moreover, the move brings her back closer to her roots, as she hails from Poway, California. This trade marks a new chapter in the careers of both Plum and Loyd as they transition to different teams within the league. You can read more about this trade at The Guardian.