In a stunning WNBA trade that has set the league on fire, Kelsey Plum is heading to the Los Angeles Sparks while Jewell Loyd is making her way to the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces. This massive roster shake-up comes after Loyd’s request for a trade following allegations of harassment within the Seattle Storm organization.
The Aces have thrived with players selected at the top of the WNBA draft, but they have also made key additions in free agency over the years.
That epitomized the late NBA great’s relationship with the women’s game. After his 20-year playing career ended, Bryant turned his focus to the next generation, mentoring some of women’s basketball’s biggest stars, from WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi to former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu.
Stars Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum are on the move after Sunday's massive trade. The Las Vegas Aces will acquire Loyd in a three-team deal.
The Las Vegas Aces have reportedly traded three-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks in a blockbuster three-team deal. ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news along with Ramona Shelburne, Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews.
But Plum’s move wasn’t the only splash. WNBA champion Jewell Loyd, who requested a trade at the end of last year, is also on the move, taking Plum’s roster spot in Las Vegas as part of a three-team trade.
WNBA stars Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd switch teams in a three-way trade involving the Aces, Sparks, and Storm.
The first major move of WNBA free agency dropped on Sunday as the Las Vegas Aces pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd.
The Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm agreed to a multi-team deal that will see Kelsey Plum head to Southern California and Jewell Loyd to Sin City, ESPN's Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne, Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou reported Sunday, citing league sources.
Kelsey Plum lands in Los Angeles, Jewell Loyd in Las Vegas, and Li Yueru in Seattle in a league-changing three-team trade reported Sunday by ESPN.
Plum helped the Aces win consecutive WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Loyd, a six-time All-Star, requested a trade last month out of Seattle
Many WNBA players believe Kobe Bryant would be pleased with the overall progress of women’s sports, which have skyrocketed in popularity and reach in recent years.