When the Los Angeles Sparks agreed to a Kelsey Plum blockbuster commerce, they traded away their coveted No. 2 general choose. In a loaded 2025 WNBA Draft class, it was unusual to some. Nonetheless, buying an All-Star and an Olympian like Plum is exceptionally uncommon.
To not point out, Plum has the “core” designation to her, which means she’s a free agent after the 2025 season. Nonetheless, ESPN reported that there is optimism about why the crew traded its prime choose for the previous Las Vegas Aces famous person.
“Sources advised ESPN the Sparks had been unsure about who can be obtainable on the No. 2 choose,” Alexis Phillipou mentioned. “The crew additionally hopes to signal Plum to a multiyear deal, making it palatable to surrender the lottery choose. “(Olivia) Miles and Paige Bueckers, the presumptive No. 1 general choose, are each thought-about prime prospects. Each preserve their school eligibility for the 2025-26 season and have not publicly confirmed their plans for the upcoming draft.”
With Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson being the 2 standout rookies from the 2024 class, it presents Plum with younger gamers to assist develop. In any case, she has WNBA and worldwide championship expertise. The Sparks have not had an elite guard since Chelsea Grey. Implementing Plum will immediately flip across the franchise.
Kelsey Plum will help the Sparks get again to profitable
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After a few lackluster seasons, the Los Angeles franchise struck gold. They acquired the No. 2 general choose within the 2024 WNBA Draft and the Sparks chosen Brink. Nonetheless, weeks earlier than, they made a cope with the Seattle Storm. They acquired Seattle’s No. 4 choose and Kia Nurse, in change for Los Angeles’s 2026 first-round choose.
Judging by buying and selling for Plum, the Sparks wish to win now. Despite the fact that Brink suffered a season-ending ACL damage, Jackson confirmed true potential. She operated as the principle ball handler whereas utilizing her slashing means to terrify defenses on the basket. Despite the fact that there’s been some dysfunction within the entrance workplace, buying and selling for Plum proves the imaginative and prescient the franchise has.
With the primary domino to fall in free company, the Sparks are hoping to get again to their profitable methods. They have not received a title since 2016, when Candace Parker was nonetheless on the crew. Plum, blended with the promising younger stars may do some severe injury. Nonetheless, it would take a bit longer than anticipated.
The Aces, the New York Liberty, and now the Indiana Fever are the closest to reaching a WNBA title. The Sparks won’t get there this season, however they’ve a authentic Massive 3 now. Buying and selling away the No. 2 choose may have a direct affect, or it could take some time to manifest.