Kelsey Plum might soon be headed to play for California’s other WNBA team.
The Golden State Valkyries are viewed by rival front offices as a possible trade suitor for the Los Angeles Sparks All-Star guard Plum, Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews of ESPN report this week. However, Golden State is also said to be reluctant to disrupt their continuity by parting with multiple key contributors in any potential deal.
Plum, a five-time WNBA All-Star at 31 years old, is in her second season with the Sparks. She is averaging career-best tallies this season with 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game but has not played since late June due to a lower left leg injury.
Meanwhile, the WNBA trade deadline is set for Aug. 2. Plum will be a free agent after the season, and a recent report cast major doubt on Plum’s long-term future with the Sparks.
As for the Valkyries, they are a second-year expansion team but have impressed this season under head coach Natalie Nakase. Golden State sits at 19-9 (third-best in the WNBA) and have the stingiest defense in the league, allowing just 76.9 points per game.
For her part, Plum does not sound too concerned about the rumors surrounding her future right now. Though the Valkyries do badly need the elite shot creation that Plum provides, the Sparks will likely have to set a reasonable asking price in order for a trade to actually happen.
