The Las Vegas Aces’ dynamic duo has officially parted ways. Kelsey Plum is heading to Los Angeles as part of the WNBA’s first trade this offseason. And while the Aces’ offense might miss Plum’s spark, it turns out she’s missing out on something else too—something A’ja Wilson will soon claim. Yes, we’re talking about money here. Big money. 

Wilson is on track to achieve a rare milestone this season: becoming a millionaire purely through her WNBA earnings. And even Plum was oh-so-close to snagging that same crown. 

With seven seasons under her belt, the 3x MVP career earnings currently total $831,642, per Spotrac. Add her 2025 salary of $200,000, and her total jumps to $1,031,642, which makes her officially cross the million-dollar mark in the WNBA this year. 

It’s a rare feat in a league still battling pay disparities, and her $200,000 annual salary cements her as one of the highest-paid players in the game.

But what’s more impressive? When Wilson signed her two-year extension with the Aces in 2023, she could’ve demanded the supermax—$241,984 in 2023 and $249,244 in 2024. Instead, she chose to settle for $200,000 per year so her team could thrive.

Fast forward two years, and while Wilson is reaching millionaire status, Plum’s journey tells a slightly different story. Over her seven seasons with the Aces, Plum earned $933,750 in total. 

She started her WNBA career in 2017 as the No. 1 overall draft pick by the San Antonio Stars (now the Aces) with a modest rookie salary of $50,000. But as her performances on the court flourished, so did her earnings. By 2020, Plum had secured a three-year extension worth $423,250, followed by a two-year deal in 2022 worth $400,000 ($200,000 annually). 

Despite her impressive numbers, Plum fell just short of the million-dollar mark during her time in Las Vegas. But her story isn’t over. Now with the Los Angeles Sparks, she has a fresh opportunity to secure a big payday. While contract details haven’t been revealed yet, there’s plenty of speculation about a long-term deal. 

Reports even suggest Plum is open to sticking with the Sparks beyond 2025. That’s good news for L.A., considering they surrendered the No. 2 overall pick in the trade to land her. However, the Sparks are taking a gamble here. Plum, turning 31 this season, is likely on a one-year deal, and her age could be a factor when negotiating future contracts. 

Plus, the team’s new head coach and the lack of a 2026 first-round pick add more pressure to make this partnership work. Let’s see if Plum can cash in big and lead the Sparks back to the playoffs. 

Meanwhile, as Plum departs, the Aces are welcoming Jewell Loyd, a 2x WNBA champion and 2023 scoring titleholder, to their roster. 

Jewell Loyd to keep A’ja Wilson & Co.’s spark alive

Will Jewell Loyd make A’ja Wilson & Co. miss Plum less? WNBA analysts certainly think so. CBS Sports’ Erica Ayala explained why the Aces might have the upper hand in this blockbuster trade. “Jewell Loyd has a very similar skill set to Kelsey Plum,” Ayala noted. “She’s lethal from the corner, and her execution there is unmatched.” 

Even though Loyd’s numbers dipped slightly last year, she still averaged an impressive 19.7 points per game. And according to Ayala, 31-year-old guard is finding her groove again after a reset in Miami, where she’s been “finding joy in the game again.”

Not to forget, her resume includes an Olympic gold medal alongside three other Aces players: Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young. So, blending in won’t be much of a problem. With her shooting prowess and championship mindset, the ex-Storm star seems poised to fit right into the Aces’ lineup. 

As for Plum, her move to the Sparks is a homecoming of sorts. Being from California, she’ll be closer to home while becoming the franchise’s new face. And with teammates like Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Dearica Hamby, the Sparks might finally be turning a corner after a rough few seasons. 

Hamby, a former Aces teammate, is in the mix for Most Improved Player, while Brink’s return from injury could energize the roster. 

So, while Aces fans will miss Plum, the team seems well-equipped to move forward with Loyd. And things look great for Plum as well. Her million-dollar milestone might not happen with the Aces, but it’s certainly within reach as she begins her next chapter in L.A.