Overview
- The Athletic reported Tuesday that league sources believe Kelsey Plum does not plan to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks after this season.
- Plum is on a one-year, $999,999 contract and has averaged high scoring and playmaking numbers this year while missing roughly a month with a leg injury and being expected to return this week.
- The Sparks sit 10-16 and trail the final playoff spot by four games, making the Aug. 2 trade deadline the only clear way to guarantee the team receives assets for Plum rather than losing her for nothing in free agency.
- Multiple high-level executives told reporters the Sparks have not engaged in meaningful trade talks, a gap made more acute by the recent firing of GM Raegan Pebley and interim control by assistant GMs Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen.
- Plum’s strong per-game production and imminent return should boost her market value but WNBA salary-cap rules and the Sparks’ front-office instability could complicate trade fits and timing.