Mercury, Sparks trade grade for Kelsey Plum deal

The Phoenix Mercury officially traded for Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, hours before the end of the WNBA trade deadline. The move is the biggest splash of this cycle, but it fits what Phoenix is trying to do.

Simultaneously, it fits Los Angeles and what has transpired this season. They lost Plum to an ankle injury and suffered without her in the lineup. Although she was the top player in the purple and gold, wins were not piling up.

Not to mention, there were rumors that she wouldn’t re-sign with the franchise, so capitalizing on her value was a must. On the flip side, the Mercury are evidently in a win-now mode, and this move signifies that.

Kelsey Plum adds a much-needed depth to the Mercury

For everything that Kahleah Copper brings at the guard position, Plum can be that secondary and sometimes primary option. Someone to handle the role of facilitator and initiator is critical, considering they didn’t have that outside of Copper.

Yes, losing Monique Akoa Makani hurts, considering she was one of the league’s top young perimeter defenders. Plum won’t likely duplicate that defensive production, but the offense negates that and adds depth they didn’t have before.

As a true microwave scorer with an unbridled intensity, it could fit like a glove with what the Mercury have. A legitimate point guard who can run the show with two of the league’s top players by her side.

A head coach in Nate Tibbetts who has shown player empowerment and putting his guards in prime positions to maximize their skill sets is a bonus.

On a team full of winners, Plum only amplifies the franchise’s committed goal of pursuing a WNBA championship. They made the Finals a season prior and are in a legitimate position of missing the playoffs entirely.

Looking ahead to the following season, she will be an unrestricted free agent. Going to a team dedicated to winning, with winning players, can be a difference maker, especially coming from Los Angeles, where they’ve missed the playoffs since she’s been there.

This flash in the pan might not be a flash, but something sustainable and something they sought after before anyone knew.

Grade: A-

The Sparks get something rather than nothing

According to New York Post writer Madeline Kenney, the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty were engaged in conversations surrounding Plum. Following that, The Athletic’s Annie Costabile said that Los Angeles’s asking price was too high.

This was the perfect opportunity to capitalize for Phoenix, as it was evident that Plum wouldn’t re-sign with the team. Getting something rather than nothing is ideal, but what they got isn’t much.

Akoa Makani is a promising player and can be a defensive specialist with a unique offensive skill set if they development goes according to plan.

However, that 2027 first-round pick is extremely enticing. If the season were to end today, Phoenix would land the No. 7 pick. In a stacked draft class, if that pick ends up being successful, it could be a shot in the foot.

This could also be something where prioritizing the win-now move can come back to bite, and not embracing a full or even semi-rebuild.

Again, the Sparks did themselves a disservice and didn’t entertain other offers fully before it was too late. But that seems to be a microcosm of the organization only highlighted by Plum’s departure.

Grade: C+

The post Mercury, Sparks trade grade for Kelsey Plum deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.