It’s official! Kelsey Plum is making a big move! After months of rumors, the trade is finally confirmed, and the star guard is heading to the Los Angeles Sparks in a massive three-team deal. The trade shakes up the WNBA as the Las Vegas Aces welcome Jewell Loyd and the No. 13 pick, while the Seattle Storm land the coveted No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and Li Yueru.
Shams Charania broke the big news for ESPN, revealing the historic WNBA trade. For the first time ever, two No. 1 draft picks were involved in the same trade, marking a major moment in the WNBA history. Having spent her entire career and winning two back-to-back championships, it was time for Kelsey to move on.
Despite the Las Vegas Aces offering her the core designation, Plum’s heart has always been set on going back home. With her move to the Los Angeles Sparks, the California native is finally returning close to ”home”. The opportunity to not only be closer to home but also become the face of a franchise adds an exciting new chapter to Plum’s career.
Even though the Las Vegas Aces have acquired one of the WNBA’s brightest stars, Jewell Loyd, in exchange for Kelsey Plum, not all fans are convinced it was the right move. One frustrated fan on X voiced their discontent, saying, “Total step backwards for the Aces. You have now purged, Kelsey Plum and Kate Martin from your team, A loss, both talent and in marketing purposes. I just don’t get it.” With the team’s dynamic shifting, it seems some fans are struggling to see the bigger picture in the midst of these bold off-season moves.
Total step backwards for the Aces. You have now purged, Kelsey Plum and Kate Martin from your team, A loss, both talent and in marketing purposes. I just don’t get it.
— Tony Molnar (@MolnarTony) January 27, 2025
The trade has left many feeling conflicted, torn between the excitement of getting a star player and the disappointment of losing a fan-favorite who was integral to the team’s championship success. Let’s take a look at what others had to say about the deal.
Aces Fans Fume as Kelsey Plum Makes Shocking Exit
With Kelsey Plum set to sign for the Sparks after February 1 , fans all over the world have voiced their opinion on the move. One fan expressed his frustration, saying, “I don’t like that kelsey plum trade I feel like the Aces still had a few more runs in em with that team But in sports soon as u take a L then they wanna switch things up”
And he makes a fair point. The Aces had a championship-caliber squad with the core four of A’Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Plum. That group had proven chemistry, knowing how to win together. Yet, after their semifinal exit last season, it seems like doubts crept in, and Plum, despite the Aces’ core offer, likely felt the need for a change.
“Kelsey Plum really not a Vegas Ace anymore man I’m sick,” one fan lamented. “Also, I was distracted by the Eagles yesterday, but what do you mean Kelsey Plum is a Spark now?” Fans on X couldn’t believe the shocking trade, with some still in disbelief over the move. But for those who had been paying close attention, it wasn’t all that surprising. Plum had been hinting at wanting a change, and now it’s officially happening. The emotional impact of this trade hit hard for many who considered her a cornerstone of the Aces.
This news wasn’t just a shock for American sports fans. It sent shockwaves across the globe! Football fans who follow the WNBA were equally stunned by the trade. One fan, still reeling from her beloved Arsenal’s loss to Chelsea, vented her frustration: “Katie McCabe red card and Kelsey Plum traded? Can we get a redo of yesterday please??” Talk about a double whammy! It seems like the sports world was in shock following the trade update.
While the trade may have stunned fans and shook the league, it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Kelsey Plum in Los Angeles. As the WNBA world adjusts to these major moves, only time will tell which team benefited the most from this team! Who do you think benefits the most from this trade? Do let us know.
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