Kelsey Plum Lands in Phoenix: Trade Shakes Up WNBA

Kelsey Plum has officially joined the Phoenix Mercury following a trade that concluded late Saturday night. She is set to debut with her new team as they face the Chicago Sky. In a press conference on Monday, Plum expressed her excitement to play alongside her former Team USA colleagues, Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas. She also shared that she received a message from Mercury icon Diana Taurasi, whom Plum considers a personal idol.

Plum was in Portland on Sunday, prepared to play for the Los Angeles Sparks despite speculation about a potential trade before the deadline. However, after the trade was finalized, she traveled to Chicago to join the Mercury on Monday. A key point of discussion surrounding this acquisition is Phoenix's ability to retain Plum long-term, as her contract concludes at the end of the current year. Reports indicate she intends to test free agency, although her return to the Mercury remains a possibility.

Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U'Ren conveyed his team's interest in securing a long-term deal with Plum, though he declined to comment on ongoing discussions. "We hope that she values her time with us here. We hope she's here for a long time," U'Ren stated. Head coach Nate Tibbetts echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the team aims to build a roster where Plum would want to stay, viewing this move as more than a short-term acquisition.

Plum, who has been sidelined since June 21 due to a lower leg injury, mentioned she is on a minutes restriction for her upcoming games, playing a maximum of 20 minutes. For her debut, she will wear jersey number 0, as her usual number 10 is already taken by Mercury guard Lexi Held. The decision on the new jersey number was reportedly made with input from her family.