WNBA Trade Deadline: Lynx Stay on Top, Plum Traded to Mercury
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- The WNBA trade deadline produced only two deals despite hopes the new CBA would change that: the Toronto Tempo acquired Aneesah Morrow from Connecticut for Maria Kliundikova's rights and a 2028 second-round pick, while the Los Angeles Sparks sent Kelsey Plum to Phoenix.
- Kelsey Plum's move to the Mercury is historic — her 23.9 points-per-game average is the highest for any midseason trade (min. 10 games) in WNBA history, per the Elias Sports Bureau, though she has missed the last six weeks with a left leg injury.
- The Minnesota Lynx stood pat and held their perch, improving to 25-6 with a 10-game winning streak and a 3.5-game lead over Las Vegas after Napheesa Collier's return from double ankle surgery, with rookie Olivia Miles leading the charge.
- The Phoenix Mercury gave up Monique Akoa Makani plus 2027 first- and 2028 second-round picks for Plum, but sit 5.5 games out of a playoff spot with 14 games remaining — and face the risk of losing Plum to free agency this offseason.
- The Connecticut Sun shipped out Morrow in their final Connecticut season before relocating to Houston, leaving a thin frontcourt on a 7-22 team that will miss the playoffs for a second straight year.
- The New York Liberty's deadline silence stood out: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has fallen completely out of the rotation despite being declared healthy by coach Chris DeMarco, and the team has been plagued by injuries all season.
- The Los Angeles Sparks ended a six-game losing streak with a 106-101 win over Portland on Sunday, signaling a full commitment to rebuilding around a potentially loaded 2027 draft class that could include JuJu Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo.
Why it matters: The Mercury surrendered a 2027 first-round pick and a young contributor for Plum, who will be a free agent this offseason — meaning the franchise is wagering future assets on a half-season rental while 5.5 games out of a playoff spot. By contrast, the Lynx's choice to make no moves preserves a 25-6 roster with a 3.5-game lead, cementing them as the clear title favorite.
