It’s official! Kelsey Plum is making the big move! After months of rumors, the trade is finally confirmed, and the star guard is heading to the Los Angeles Sparks in a massive three-team deal. The trade is shaking up the WNBA as the Las Vegas Aces welcome Jewell Loyd and the No. 13 pick, while the Seattle Storm land the coveted No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and Li Yueru.

This trade marks a milestone in WNBA history, as it’s the first time two No. 1 draft picks have been involved in the same deal. Shams Charania, reporting for ESPN, broke the news that has left fans buzzing. For Kelsey Plum, who spent her entire career with the Aces and helped them secure back-to-back championships, the time had come for a fresh start.

Despite the Las Vegas Aces offering her the core designation, Plum’s heart has always been set on going back home. With her move to the Los Angeles Sparks, the California native is finally returning close to ”home”. The opportunity to not just be closer to home but also become the face of a franchise marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in Plum’s career.

However, the trade has not been without its detractors. While the Aces have acquired Jewell Loyd, a two-time WNBA champion, six-time All-Star, three-time All-WNBA performer, and the 2023 league scoring champion, some fans still believe the team has taken a step backward. One frustrated fan on X remarked, “Total step backwards for the Aces. You have now purged Kelsey Plum and Kate Martin from your team, a loss both in talent and in marketing purposes. I just don’t get it.” This sentiment reflects a divide among fans, as many struggle to see the long-term vision behind the Aces’ bold off-season moves.

The timing of this trade adds another layer of complexity to the WNBA’s offseason. With free agency looming, the deal could influence the decisions of other high-profile players, potentially reshaping the league’s balance of power. Fans are already speculating on the ripple effects this trade may have across the WNBA. Let’s see what they have to say about the trade. 

Aces Fans Fume as Kelsey Plum Makes Shocking Exit

With Kelsey Plum set to sign for the Sparks after February 1, fans all over the world have voiced their opinion on the move. One fan expressed his frustration, saying, “I don’t like that Kelsey Plum trade I feel like the Aces still had a few more runs in em with that team But in sports soon as u take a L then they wanna switch things up”

And he makes a fair point. The Aces had a championship-caliber squad with the core four of A’Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Plum. That group had proven chemistry, knowing how to win together. Yet, after their semifinal exit last season, it seems like doubts have crept in, and Plum, despite the Aces’ core offer, likely felt the need for a change.

“Kelsey Plum really not a Vegas Ace anymore man I’m sick,” one fan lamented. “Also, I was distracted by the Eagles yesterday, but what do you mean Kelsey Plum is a Spark now?” Fans on X couldn’t believe the shocking trade, with some still in disbelief over the move. But for those who had been paying close attention, it wasn’t all that surprising. Plum had been hinting at wanting a change, and now it’s officially happening. The emotional impact of this trade hit hard for many who considered her a cornerstone of the Aces.

This news wasn’t just a shock for American sports fans. It sent shockwaves across the globe! Football fans who follow the WNBA were equally stunned by the trade. One fan, still reeling from her beloved Arsenal’s loss to Chelsea, vented her frustration: “Katie McCabe red card and Kelsey Plum traded? Can we get a redo of yesterday please??” Talk about a double whammy! It seems like the sports world was in shock following the trade update.

While the trade may have stunned fans and shaken the league, it still is epic for Kelsey Plum in Los Angeles! The WNBA world needs time to adjust to these major moves, only then they will be able to tell which team benefitted the most from this trade! But, what do you think about it all? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.