Phoenix Mercury acquire Kelsey Plum as deadline trade; Lynx keep lead
The Phoenix Mercury added five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks on August 2, 2026, as one of only two trades completed before the WNBA deadline, while the Minnesota Lynx stayed atop the league standings, CBS Sports reported. Earlier in the week, the approaching August 2 deadline sparked widespread speculation. The New York Times reported that the Sparks risked losing Plum and the Lynx were weighing Napheesa Collier's future.
ESPN highlighted Plum among five players likely to be moved and said the New York Liberty were exploring a trade for her, though negotiations stalled. Plum told ESPN she would not let trade rumors affect her focus on playing for the Sparks. Those reports set the stage for the eventual trade to Phoenix.
