Why the Mercury must avoid making Kelsey Plum trade with Sparks?

With less than 24 hours before the WNBA trade deadline concludes, there is one connection surprising everyone: Kelsey Plum and the Phoenix Mercury. As reported by the New York Post’s Madeline Kenney, the Los Angeles Sparks have had conversations about sending their point guard to the Valley of the Sun.

Adding more star power might not be a terrible idea, but it isn’t the trade the Mercury need, if they were to make one. Acquiring Plum would only add to future complications of the franchise.

A Kelsey Plum trade would diminish the Mercury’s future assets

Kenney’s report indicated that conversations were taking place, but another from The Athletic’s Annie Costabile highlights something else: the Sparks value Plum extremely highly, and it’s dissuading other teams.

The Mercury are one of those teams.

They don’t have much draft capital or young assets to give up. If they were to, players like Monique Akoa Makani, Noémie Brochant, and Marta Suarez could be on the move.

These three in particular have been a staple of Phoenix’s younger portion of the roster. They offer defense, versatility, and a spry energy that this older roster craves. It also prepares them for the future; something that acquiring Plum would not do.

A true trio of Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Plum would be dynamic offensively, but defensively could present some challenges. Not to mention, the latter is on a one-year deal and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

There would have to be a mindset of securing her for the long-term if a deal were to be done. Securing her for a half-season rental would be deja vu of what happened with Satou Sabally, minus the full season’s worth of impact and value.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles would likely want a barrage of picks and young players, something Phoenix is scarce in. Maintaining those assets has to be a priority, even if it means losing out on the sweepstakes.

The Mercury have bigger priorities than Kelsey Plum

While Plum technically solves a win-now scenario, guard play isn’t the Mercury’s problem: it’s the forward/center rotation, or lack thereof.

Besides Natasha Mack, it consists of Kyara Linskens (who’s been mostly out of the rotation) and throwing DeWanna Bonner and even Alyssa Thomas at the center spot.

The guard situation is taken care of. Copper, Lexi Held, Brochant, and Akoa Makani fill those respective spots. The first of that list has proven to be the scorer Phoenix needs.

Averaging 20.7 points per game, she’s been that go-to player. Adding another scorer could be ideal, as evidenced by Plum and Copper’s duel between the Mercury and Sparks in mid-June.

Landing a guard isn’t the solution, but if it was, it would be a forward. If they were to make a trade, it should be for someone like Alanna Smith or someone of that caliber. Defending the rim, spacing the floor, crashing the boards, and being that extra body they need is essential.

Even with the potential move, it could be too little too late. The team’s 11-19 record has them on the outside looking in for a playoff spot, and it will take a lot to push them to the final spot.

Being desperate for playoff basketball is one thing, but squandering any type of potential isn’t worth it. Perhaps the best addition could be none at all, and the Mercury should steer clear of a trade involving Plum.

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