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Multiple front offices around the WNBA have considered the Golden State Valkyries a possible landing spot for Kelsey Plum ahead of Sunday's trade deadline, but a source familiar with the situation told ESPN that Golden State is reluctant to part with the multiple key contributors the Los Angeles Sparks would want back in a deal.
The Valkyries are built around their depth and a strength-in-numbers identity, and they have confidence in what the current group can accomplish, the source told ESPN. Golden State does not want to rush into a big move that could disrupt its continuity. A trade for Plum, or another big-name addition, could be pushed to free agency instead.
Los Angeles has fielded calls on possible deals involving Plum, and those conversations have picked up this week. The asking price has been too high for the teams that have called, sources said. There is also a concern that Plum, who hits free agency this offseason, would not commit past the remainder of this season, sources told ESPN. Sources told ESPN there is a real possibility Plum remains with the Sparks through the deadline and for the rest of the season, with the understanding Los Angeles could lose her in free agency next winter.
On ESPN's NBA Today on Thursday, Ramona Shelburne said the Sparks had been taking calls on Plum for weeks and only began engaging in them this week.
"What I'm hearing is they're asking for the world," Shelburne said.
Plum spoke to reporters Thursday after her first official practice with the team since the injury.
"There's a lot of things that are in the unknown, and those are things outside of my control," Plum said. "For me, my control is to be here, to play the highest level of basketball I could possibly play, and help my team win games."
Golden State lost 91-89 at the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in its first game out of the All-Star break and sits third in the Western Conference at 19-9. The Valkyries carry the league's best defensive rating at 100.9. They rank eighth in offensive rating at 107.7. No player on the roster is averaging 15 points per game.
Golden State would likely have to give up some of its depth to complete a deal. The Valkyries have no cap space and would need to move at least two players to match Plum's $999,999 salary, and Gabby Williams is not available in any deal. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase spent three seasons as an assistant in Las Vegas from 2022 to 2024, overlapping with Plum there. Juste Jocyte, the first draft pick in franchise history, went fifth overall in 2025.
Plum has not appeared in a game since June 21 because of a lower left leg injury. She is averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists through 12 appearances, both career highs. She is shooting 52.7% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range, and 80.6% at the free-throw line. She also missed time earlier in the season with an ankle injury.
The Sparks are 10-17, have lost six in a row, and have gone 2-9 during the stretch without Plum. Los Angeles has not reached the playoffs since 2020, the longest active drought in the league. The franchise traded the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, which became Dominique Malonga, to acquire Plum ahead of last season. Nneka Ogwumike and Ariel Atkins arrived this past offseason, with Rickea Jackson going to Washington in the deal for Atkins.
Los Angeles parted with general manager Raegan Pebley on July 12 and elevated assistant general managers Zack Knowlton and Nate Nielsen on an interim basis. Both are new to the WNBA. Executive Farhan Zaidi is serving as a special advisor to owner Mark Walter. Zaidi told the Los Angeles Times this week that the organization would consider changing course after this season.
"Now we have to be open for anything," Zaidi told The Times. "Everything has to be on the table for us."
The trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Sparks play at the Portland Fire that afternoon, with tip-off 30 minutes after the deadline passes. Golden State hosts the Toronto Tempo on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
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The Valkyries are built around their depth and a strength-in-numbers identity, and they have confidence in what the current group can accomplish, the source told ESPN. Golden State does not want to rush into a big move that could disrupt its continuity. A trade for Plum, or another big-name addition, could be pushed to free agency instead.
Los Angeles has fielded calls on possible deals involving Plum, and those conversations have picked up this week. The asking price has been too high for the teams that have called, sources said. There is also a concern that Plum, who hits free agency this offseason, would not commit past the remainder of this season, sources told ESPN. Sources told ESPN there is a real possibility Plum remains with the Sparks through the deadline and for the rest of the season, with the understanding Los Angeles could lose her in free agency next winter.
On ESPN's NBA Today on Thursday, Ramona Shelburne said the Sparks had been taking calls on Plum for weeks and only began engaging in them this week.
"What I'm hearing is they're asking for the world," Shelburne said.
Plum spoke to reporters Thursday after her first official practice with the team since the injury.
"There's a lot of things that are in the unknown, and those are things outside of my control," Plum said. "For me, my control is to be here, to play the highest level of basketball I could possibly play, and help my team win games."
Golden State lost 91-89 at the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in its first game out of the All-Star break and sits third in the Western Conference at 19-9. The Valkyries carry the league's best defensive rating at 100.9. They rank eighth in offensive rating at 107.7. No player on the roster is averaging 15 points per game.
Golden State would likely have to give up some of its depth to complete a deal. The Valkyries have no cap space and would need to move at least two players to match Plum's $999,999 salary, and Gabby Williams is not available in any deal. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase spent three seasons as an assistant in Las Vegas from 2022 to 2024, overlapping with Plum there. Juste Jocyte, the first draft pick in franchise history, went fifth overall in 2025.
Plum has not appeared in a game since June 21 because of a lower left leg injury. She is averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists through 12 appearances, both career highs. She is shooting 52.7% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range, and 80.6% at the free-throw line. She also missed time earlier in the season with an ankle injury.
The Sparks are 10-17, have lost six in a row, and have gone 2-9 during the stretch without Plum. Los Angeles has not reached the playoffs since 2020, the longest active drought in the league. The franchise traded the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, which became Dominique Malonga, to acquire Plum ahead of last season. Nneka Ogwumike and Ariel Atkins arrived this past offseason, with Rickea Jackson going to Washington in the deal for Atkins.
Los Angeles parted with general manager Raegan Pebley on July 12 and elevated assistant general managers Zack Knowlton and Nate Nielsen on an interim basis. Both are new to the WNBA. Executive Farhan Zaidi is serving as a special advisor to owner Mark Walter. Zaidi told the Los Angeles Times this week that the organization would consider changing course after this season.
"Now we have to be open for anything," Zaidi told The Times. "Everything has to be on the table for us."
The trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Sparks play at the Portland Fire that afternoon, with tip-off 30 minutes after the deadline passes. Golden State hosts the Toronto Tempo on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Continue reading...
