The Las Vegas Aces lost the first piece of their championship core over the offseason when they traded Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks as part of the three-team deal with the Seattle Storm that sent Jewell Loyd to the Aces. The WNBA regular season is still new, but Plum is shining in her new role in Hollywood, while the Aces are having their fair share of early-season struggles.
Los Angeles is 2-4 to start the season and Las Vegas is 2-2. The Sparks hired a new head coach and retooled their roster, making a major splash with Plum's addition, but everybody knew they wouldn't turn into a contender overnight. However, the Aces are supposed to be one of the top teams in the league with three-time MVP A'a Wilson, but they haven't looked the part.
Las Vegas fans can't help but wonder how the Aces would look if Plum were still in town. She's averaging a career-high 25.2 points, 5.5 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting 44.4% from the field and 43.4% from three. Her numbers are up because she's the focal point of the Sparks' offense, but that doesn't mean it doesn't sting to see her excelling in LA.
Kelsey Plum is shining for the Sparks after Aces trade
Loyd's first four games with Las Vegas have been a mixed bag. She shot 2-of-10 in her debut against New York for five points, followed that with 20 points in a win over Connecticut, nine points in a win over Washington (including the game-winning three), and 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Sunday's loss to Seattle. Loyd is averaging 12 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 31.3% from the field and 40% from deep.
The Sparks stressed their desire to win at media day, but they don't have nearly as much riding on this season as the Aces. It seems like Plum had one foot out the door before the trade happened, as there was plenty of speculation that 2024 would be her last in Vegas. The Aces gave up Plum and their 2026 first-round pick (to the Storm) in exchange for Loyd, who was coming off a down year. The trade hasn't worked out as planned for the Aces, but LA is happy with its return.
It's still early, but Plum has been the better player. She's back in her home state with a team that she wants to be with for the rest of her career. Los Angeles isn't in the contender conversation, but the team made strides toward getting there this offseason. You can't write off Loyd and the Aces, but if this season ends with another second-round exit (or worse), the trade will have aged poorly.
Plum could lead the Sparks to a win tonight in Vegas, making the trade look even more questionable, which is the last thing Aces fans want to deal with.