WNBA Trade Deadline Produces Just 2 Deals as Mercury Bet on Kelsey Plum
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 3
WNBA Trade Deadline Produces Just 2 Deals as Mercury Bet on Kelsey Plum
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 3
Summary
Only two trades were completed by Sunday’s WNBA deadline, far less movement than some expected under the new CBA.
Phoenix made the splashiest move, acquiring Kelsey Plum—averaging 23.9 points—from Los Angeles for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder.
That gamble comes with risk: Plum can still leave in free agency, and the Mercury sit 5.5 games out of a playoff spot with 14 regular-season games left.
Minnesota emerged as a deadline winner by standing pat, improving to 25-6 with a 10-game winning streak and a 3.5-game lead over the Aces.
The quiet deadline also left the Liberty relying on healthier stars for a late push, while the Sparks used Plum’s exit to add future assets and lean further into a rebuild.