The WNBA had its first league-altering trade of the year on Sunday between the Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm. Kelsey Plum returns home to Southern California to suit up for the Sparks and Jewell Loyd's wish to play for the Aces came true.
Plum didn't sign an extension with Las Vegas, which led to her entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. The Aces cored her earlier this month, meaning she could only leave Nevada via trade. ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported that Plum "signed off" on the trade and wants to be in Los Angeles beyond the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Loyd requested a trade from Seattle in December. The timing was telling, as her trade request became public after the Storm announced that they found no evidence of alleged player mistreatment from the coaching staff. Loyd reportedly filed the complaint.
It took nearly two months for a trade to happen after that. On Saturday, Chicago Sun-Times' Annie Costabile reported that the three-team trade (subscription required) would be "the first domino that needs to fall in WNBA free agency." ESPN's Shams Charania reported the trade had been finalized the following night.
The trade has dominated headlines over the past 12 hours for several reasons (and will continue to do so), but a detail about it has been overlooked. As The Athletic pointed out, it is the first in WNBA history involving No. 1 overall picks (subscription required).
Plum, Loyd trade makes WNBA history with No. 1 picks on the move
Plum's WNBA career began in 2017 when the San Antonio Stars drafted her No. 1 overall. The following season, the organization relocated to Las Vegas and rebranded as the Aces. Plum has played in two different cities but technically for the same team. The move to LA will give her a fresh start and let her take charge of a young Sparks squad.
Loyd was drafted No. 1 overall by the Storm in 2015, so she leaves Seattle after playing 10 seasons there. At Unrivaled, she said her next 10 years in the league would be better than her first. She was ready for a fresh start, and she'll get one in Nevada alongside the best player in the league.
The move should be a win-win for both players. Loyd will likely face the biggest adjustment, as she'll be on a team with A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young. Her shooting stats were down last season (she shot 36% from the field and 27.4% from three), but if she can get those numbers back to her typical career marks (she shot 37% from the field and 35.6% from deep in 2023), the Aces should be happy with the results of the trade.
It will be weird to see Plum rep the purple and gold and Loyd in silver and gray in 2025, but it will certainly be exciting.