Overview
- The Mercury acquired five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks in a trade that sent Monique Akoa Makani and future draft picks to Los Angeles.
- Plum returned from a lower-leg injury and on Aug. 3 scored 20 points off the bench, drilling a go-ahead 3 with 53.2 seconds left to lift Phoenix to a 106-101 win over the Chicago Sky.
- In her first start two days later in Atlanta Plum scored 19 points but the Mercury fell 96-82, dropping to 12-20 and leaving them outside the playoff cut with a compressed schedule remaining.
- Phoenix used a minutes restriction as Plum rounded back into form and her scoring immediately opened space for Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, giving the team an obvious offensive boost.
- The move is a clear win-now wager that injects hope into Phoenix’s stretch run but also costs draft capital and carries risk because Plum is nearing free agency and several wins against quality opponents will be needed to reach the postseason.