Just five days before WNBA free agency kicks off, one of the biggest trades in league history took center stage. It’s the first deal to ever feature two former No. 1 overall picks.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Las Vegas Aces are acquiring six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm in a three-team trade. As part of the deal, Las Vegas will send two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. Center Li Yueru, who appeared in 38 games for the Sparks last season, will go to Seattle.
Draft compensation is a major part of this blockbuster move. Seattle will receive the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, previously owned by the Sparks, along with the Aces’ 2026 first-round pick. Los Angeles trades down to No. 9 overall in the 2025 draft, while also sending the No. 13 pick to the Sparks.
Depending on your outlook, this can be considered a massive gamble for the Sparks. Rarely do you see a franchise pass on a No. 2 draft selection, especially for a player in their thirties. After all, Plum doesn’t exactly match up with the timelines of second-year talents Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, both lottery picks for Los Angeles in 2024. In theory, the Sparks could have saved this year’s draft pick for Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, widely considered the best college prospect after UConn’s Paige Bueckers.
Also, there’s a chance Plum could be a rental for Los Angeles. Earlier this month, the Aces placed a ‘core designation’ on Plum before she was able to hit unrestricted free agency. The core designation tool gives impending free agents a fully guaranteed, one-year contract at supermax value ($249,244) but it’s meant to protect the franchise by allowing them to look for potential trades instead of watching a player walk for nothing. Plum got her max salary, but didn’t have the opportunity to choose her destination.
