Sources: Sparks trade All-Star guard Plum to Mercury

Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks have traded five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury, according to sources. The trade, which was completed in the early hours of Sunday morning, is a notable shift in the Sparks' approach to the season. In exchange for Plum, the Sparks will receive Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick from the Mercury. The move is seen as a signal that the Sparks' win-now attempt has failed, and the franchise is now looking to rebuild. Los Angeles has struggled this season, currently sitting 5.5 games out of the No. 8 seed and seven games under .500. The team's offense has sputtered without Plum, who has been out since June 21 with a lower left leg injury. The Sparks are just 3-12 in the 15 games that Plum has missed.

Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury, on the other hand, are looking to make a push for the playoffs with the addition of Plum. The team is currently 11-19 and 13 games out of first place, but the acquisition of Plum gives them an immediate scoring boost and playmaking ability. Plum, who is averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists in 12 games this season, will join a Mercury team that reached the WNBA Finals last season. The Mercury's odds of winning the WNBA Finals have improved, moving from +35000 to +20000, according to si.com. The Mercury's next game is on Monday against the Chicago Sky, and it's possible that Plum could make her team debut in that matchup.

Impact on the WNBA

The trade has also had an impact on the WNBA as a whole, with several teams seeing their odds of winning the WNBA Finals shift as a result of the move. The Golden State Valkyries, who were rumored to be interested in Plum, saw their odds move from +850 to +1000 after missing out on the five-time All-Star, as reported by si.com.

Upcoming Games

The Sparks' next game is on Sunday against the Portland Fire, and the team will be looking to bounce back from a six-game losing streak. Without Plum, the Sparks will be relying on other players to step up and fill the void. Rae Burrell, who has been averaging a career-high 13.4 points per game, will likely play a key role in the team's offense. According to si.com, Burrell has scored 17 or more points in six of her last nine games. The Fire, on the other hand, have been struggling defensively, allowing over 91 points per game, as reported by si.com. The Sparks will be looking to take advantage of this weakness and get back on track. However, the Fire have been a better team at home, and the Sparks will face a tough challenge on the road. Overall, the trade of Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury is a notable shift in the WNBA landscape. The Sparks are looking to rebuild, while the Mercury are looking to make a push for the playoffs. The impact of the trade will be felt across the league, and it will be interesting to see how the teams respond in the coming weeks.