With the Sparks well on their way to another losing season, the front office has made it clear that everything is on the table as the WNBA trade deadline approaches on Sunday.
That includes the possibility of the franchise parting ways with All-Star Kelsey Plum.
While Plum has had a fantastic individual season, averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game, the team has struggled. And with Plum reportedly not wanting to re-sign with the Sparks, the organization has to decide whether they want to trade her now or risk losing her for nothing in the offseason.
Plum has missed the last 11 games with a lower left leg injury, but participated in Thursday’s practice and addressed the trade rumors afterward.
“The thing about professional sports is it’s business,” Plum said. “At the end of the day, people have to do what’s best for them. And I respect that. I’m not taking anything personal. And for me, I’m gonna be where my feet are. I play for the Sparks. So on Sunday, I’m gonna suit up, and I’m gonna give them whatever minute restriction, fill in the blank minutes of hell. Coming off the bench. And I’m actually really excited about it.”
It’s easy to start reading the tea leaves and driving oneself mad trying to figure out what else Plum could mean by all this. A fair reading of the situation is that Plum is focused on what she can control. Right now, that’s rehabbing her lower left leg and making sure she doesn’t have a setback and can play in Sunday’s game.
Will she get moved? It’s possible. But it’s also possible the Sparks can’t find a deal they like and think it’s better to retain Plum instead of taking an awful offer.
When asked about her future beyond this season and if she wants to remain a Spark, Plum gave a corporate response.
“There’s a lot of things that are in the unknown, and those are things outside of my control,” Plum said. “For me, my control is to be here, to play the highest level of basketball I could possibly play and help my team win games.”
As a follow-up about the unknown that is the 2027 WNBA season for Plum, she was asked what she wants to have happen and didn’t commit to LA.
“I want to help my team win games,” she said.
We’ll see if that team remains the Sparks, or if she gets moved. The trade deadline is at 3:00 p.m. ET, just 30 minutes before LA takes on Portland on the road.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.