08/02/26 10:46:00
Printable Page
08/02 10:44 CDT Sparks send Kelsey Plum to Mercury for a 2026 1st-round pick
and Monique Akoa Makani, AP source says
Sparks send Kelsey Plum to Mercury for a 2026 1st-round pick and Monique Akoa
Makani, AP source says
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
The Los Angeles Sparks traded All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury
for a first-round pick next year, Monique Akoa Makani and a second-round draft
choice in 2028, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday
because they weren't authorized to speak publicly on the trade.
The deal was finalized late Saturday night ahead of Sunday's trade deadline and
was first reported by ESPN. It's rare for an All-Star to be traded in the
middle of the season, only happening a handful of times before Saturday night.
Plum, who is a free agent at the end of this season, has been sidelined since
June 21 because of a lower leg injury. She practiced earlier this week and was
expected to play Sunday in the Sparks' game against Portland before getting
traded. Phoenix's next game is Monday at Chicago.
Plum was averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists before getting hurt. Los Angeles
has struggled without her, including its last six games.
Phoenix is currently sitting at 11-19 and is six games behind the New York
Liberty, who sit in eighth place. New York edged Phoenix 94-92 on Saturday.
The Mercury are coming off a WNBA Finals appearance last season, but have
seldom looked like that team despite returning stars Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah
Copper.
Akoa Makani is averaging 9.4 points and 2.5 assists this season in 16 games.
She was injured earlier in the season with a hamstring issue.
Los Angeles acquired Plum before last season in a blockbuster deal that sent
the No. 2 pick to Seattle. The Sparks had hoped they could accelerate a
rebuilding effort. Seattle used that pick on Dominique Malonga, who was an
All-Star this season.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
|
