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Many expected the WNBA to shed its reputation for having a drowsy trade deadline this year under its new collective bargaining agreement, which massively increased team salary caps. However, the 2026 mid-season trade market—which met its deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday—was once again relatively quiet.
The biggest move came late Saturday night, when the Los Angeles Sparks sent five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for second-year guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick. It’s only the fourth time in WNBA history that an All-Star has been dealt midseason, and signals the intention to launch a full rebuild in L.A.
Phoenix’s acquisition, meanwhile, doesn’t come without some risk.
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported that Plum, who is averaging a career-best 23.9 points per game this season, still intends to become a free agent after the 2026 season ends—though re-signing with the team isn’t totally off the table. After agreeing to a team-friendly deal (one-year, $999,999) with the Sparks ahead of this season, Plum will likely seek out the $1.4 million supermax salary she is eligible for under the new CBA.
With 14 regular-season games left, the Mercury—sitting in 11th place at 11-19—will need to act fast to make the most of Plum’s presence. (The eight teams with the best regular-season records qualify for the WNBA playoffs, regardless of conference.)
Another Move
The only other notable deadline-spurred deal involved the Toronto Tempo and the Connecticut Sun. On Friday, the Tempo acquired second-year forward Aneesah Morrow from the Sun in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick and the rights to forward Maria Kliundikova. Averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, Morrow could provide a lift to a lagging 10-18 Tempo team in their first season.
Perhaps more dealmaking will finally come later in the decade, when the league adds franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030).
