The Las Vegas Aces are currently 2-2 in 2025, while the Los Angeles Sparks hold a 2-3 record. One could argue that the Aces are winning the Kelsey Plum trade based on record alone. The actual numbers and the overall situation tell different stories, however.
The Aces traded Plum to the Sparks this past offseason as part of a three-team deal. Although she was an All-Star for the third consecutive season in 2024, Plum had a down year overall. Las Vegas ultimately moved on and acquired Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm as part of the trade.
However, the Aces were recently embarrassed by Loyd's former team, losing by a final score of 102-82. Las Vegas did not look good in the game. A 2-2 record is not the end of the world by any means, and Las Vegas could easily bounce back, but this team has serious question marks right now.
Aces without Kelsey Plum
A'ja Wilson is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per outing. Her numbers are still impressive, but her scoring has seen a massive decrease since last year. Aside from Jackie Young, Wilson is not receiving too much help on the offensive end of the floor. Defenses have been able to focus on containing Wilson as a result.
Plum, even in a down year in 2024, was a reliable scoring threat alongside Young and Wilson. The Aces are hoping that Loyd can replace her production, but the former Storm star is currently averaging 12 points per game. Young is recording around 18 points per outing and Chelsea Gray is at just over 12 points per contest.
The team isn't offering much scoring depth around the four aforementioned players. Yes, the Aces' defense has questions to answer and they need to take better care of the ball, but they are currently missing Plum's production. From 2022-2024, Plum averaged 18.9 points per game.
With the Sparks, Plum may be even better than that.
Plum's first season with Sparks
Plum is currently averaging 24.8 points per outing. She is also shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from beyond the arc. It's only been five games, so we shouldn't expect Plum to cruise to an MVP win just yet. Taking more of a lead role in Los Angeles has boosted her statistics, though.
Plum looks confident on the floor as well. It is almost as if the trade has given her new energy. Again, she played well with the Aces without question -- especially in 2022 and 2023. The trade to LA has helped her from an individual standpoint, though.
The Aces are probably still the better team. Las Vegas will likely end up finishing with a better record. Without Plum, though, it is difficult to envision this Aces team making any kind of deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Sparks could return to the postseason following an abysmal 2024 campaign.