As Kelsey Plum’s No. 10 jersey was lifted into the rafters of the University of Washington, it marked a monumental moment in her career. But as the celebrations echoed through the arena, another question loomed large: what’s next for Plum in the WNBA? Just days before her jersey retirement, Plum was at the center of a seismic shift in the league. The Las Vegas Aces extended a core offer to the star guard, locking her in for one more season with a $250,000 contract. However, in a stunning twist, Plum, after playing a vital role in the Aces’ back-to-back championships, made her choice—and it wasn’t to stay in Vegas.

Reports quickly followed, confirming that the Aces had traded Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks in a blockbuster deal, bringing in 6x All-Star Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm. As Callie Flinn reported, “This was Loyd’s desired destination. I’m told she’s ‘excited and looking forward to a new chapter.’”

The trade is already sending shockwaves through the league, and it doesn’t stop there—the Aces also acquired the No. 13 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, further strengthening their already formidable roster.

For Plum, though, this wasn’t just a trade; it was a defining moment.

She had been a core piece of the Aces championship dynasty, but her move to LA brings a fresh perspective. Plum reunites with former Aces teammate Dearica Hamby in LA, where she joins a talented young core led by Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink.

On the other hand, Storm who decided to trade Lloyd for the No.2 pick from Sparks seems to have made a change that might very well overturn the current WNBA draft predictions as they vie for a centerpiece to build a dynasty around.

Loyd’s bold move to Aces signals a new era—what’s next for the WNBA’s superstars?

The real intrigue, though, lies with Jewell Loyd, who now joins the Aces in what many are calling a “win-now” move. With A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young already leading the charge in Vegas, the addition of the explosive scoring of Loyd only makes the Aces more dangerous. Her decision to request a trade from the Storm to the Aces signals that she sees this as a new opportunity to chase another championship.

The ramifications of this trade extend beyond the immediate roster moves, with the 2025 WNBA Draft now teeming with even more uncertainty. With players like Paige Bueckers projected to go No. 1, and rising talents like Olivia Miles and Kiki Iriafen on the rise, the trade of Kelsey Plum marks the beginning of what could be a pivotal moment in the upcoming WNBA season.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on how this trade reshapes not only the Aces and the Sparks but the very foundation of the WNBA itself. With Plum in LA and Loyd in Vegas, it’s clear: the league’s landscape is about to be redefined. But the bigger question remains—what’s next for the WNBA’s brightest stars?