Six-time All-Star guard Jewell Loyd and three-time honoree guard Kelsey Plum are on the move in a three-team trade involving the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks, according to multiple media outlets.
The transaction, which cannot be made official until Feb. 1, also includes significant draft capital that could further change the landscape of the league. The trade would be the first in league history to involve multiple No. 1 overall selections, according to ESPN.
The Aces, who fell short of their bid to win their straight title in 2024 when they finished 27-13, would be getting Loyd from Seattle and the 13th pick (from Los Angeles) in this season’s draft.
The Storm (25-15) are to receive the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft (from Los Angeles), Las Vegas’ first-round pick in 2026, and Sparks forward Li Yueru.
The last-place Sparks (8-32) are getting Plum from the Aces and two draft selections from Seattle: No. 9 this year and the Storm’s second round pick in 2026.
Loyd is under contract for one more season but wanted out of Seattle amid her accusations that the coaching staff harassed and bullied players. The 2015 Rookie of the Year has averaged 16.9 points in her 10 WNBA seasons, all in Seattle. Her career high in scoring was 24.7 points in 2023. She was the top pick in the 2015 draft.
Plum, a free agent, was cored by Las Vegas, meaning she could only be moved via a trade. The sign-and-trade element is what requires the delay until Feb. 1.
Plum played her first season in Seattle after being the top selection in 2017. She then spent seven years in Las Vegas, although she sat out 2020 with an Achilles injury. She has averaged 14.3 points and four assists. She posted 20.2 points per game in 2022, when she was third in MVP voting.
–Field Level Media
