Phoenix Mercury pursue trade for Kelsey Plum before deadline

Kelsey Plum had barely enough time to process being traded before she was asked to help her new team win a game. Less than 48 hours after the Los Angeles Sparks sent her to the Phoenix Mercury, Plum joined her new teammates in Chicago and made her debut Monday night. The reception waiting for her at the team hotel made it considerably easier.Plum said Mercury players greeted her with hugs and a bouquet of white roses, an unexpected gesture that left the former WNBA champion feeling overwhelmed and grateful before Phoenix’s 106-101 victory over the Chicago Sky.

Kelsey Plum was 10 years old when she saw Diana Taurasi play on television, walked into the kitchen and told her mom she was going to play in the WNBA. Not only did Plum fulfill her self-proclaimed prophecy by playing in the WNBA for nine seasons, she's now on Taurasi's former team, the Phoenix Mercury, following a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Sparks. “It means everything,” Plum said prior to the Mercury's game at Chicago on Monday.

PHOENIX — Buzz over the Phoenix Mercury’s blockbuster Kelsey Plum trade continues to dominate the conversation around the league, with one former player giving her perspective on the move. News of the trade broke late Saturday night, with the five-time All-Star making her way to the Valley to help bolster a team looking to slip into the postseason.

Kelsey Plum’s time in Los Angeles officially came to an end on August 2 with a trade to the Phoenix Mercury. Just a day after the blockbuster trade that sent the five-time All-Star to Phoenix was made official, Plum posted a series of pictures from her time with LA on Instagram, and WNBA stars immediately took notice.

Kelsey Plum adds another all-star to the Mercury's dangerous lineup.

Kelsey Plum has been traded to the Mercury less than 18 months after joining the LA Sparks.

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury reportedly made one of the biggest moves ahead of the WNBA trade deadline Sunday. 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.

PHOENIX — Just one day before the WNBA trade deadline, it appears the Phoenix Mercury have entered the race for one of the most sought-after names of the season. According to the New York Post’s Madeline Kenney, the Mercury are among the teams looking to add Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum.