The 2025 WNBA offseason is already heating up. On Sunday, there was a three-team trade, including All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum, along with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks improve while the Seattle Storm gets ready for a potential rebuild. The trade sends Jewell Loyd, a six-time All-Star and former scoring champion, from the Seattle Storm to the perennial contender, Las Vegas Aces. Meanwhile, Kelsey Plum, one of the league’s best scorers, will head to the Los Angeles Sparks via a sign-and-trade agreement. The Seattle Storm facilitated the deal while grabbing the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft and added 6-foot-7 center Li Yueru to their roster.
BREAKING – WNBA FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Seattle Storm:
– No. 2 Overall Pick 2025 Draft
– Li YueruLas Vegas Aces:
– Jewell Loyd
– No. 13 Overall PickLos Angeles Sparks:
– Kelsey Plum
– No. 9 Overall Pick(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/qDELXMVDmr
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 27, 2025
WNBA Landscape Shakes Up With a Blockbuster Trade
The Las Vegas Aces are Stronger, Despite Kelsey Plum Trade
With Kelsey Plum out, the Aces bring in Jewell Loyd to fill the void. Loyd has spent her whole career in Seattle but is ready for a fresh start in Las Vegas. She should fit in perfectly as she is used to winning. She has two championships and an Olympic gold in her trophy case. Loyd will join A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young to make a new big three in Vegas. Loyd’s scoring and playmaking should match well with Wilson. The Aces have a chance to be the best offense in the league.
Loyd’s supermax contract is definitely something to consider. That being said, the team’s ability to attract veteran free agents who want to compete for a title should give them a chance to fill out the team nicely. The Las Vegas Aces were already stacked with talent and now might even have greater chances to get back to the championship stage. They also netted the 13th pick in this trade.
Can the Kelsey Plum Trade Boost the Sparks?
Plum averaged 17.8 points and 4.2 assists per game last season. Her ability to shoot from deep and create for teammates will be huge for the Sparks, who were the worst team in the league last season. With Plum on the team, the Sparks will have a better shot at getting back into the playoff mix after their disappointing season.
The Sparks also traded away the No. 2 overall pick as part of this deal. This shows that winning now is a greater priority than building for the future. While giving up a high draft pick could come back to bite them, getting Plum gives the team an All-Star caliber guard who can anchor their backcourt for the foreseeable future. The Sparks also landed the ninth pick after trading away the second overall pick.
Seattle Storm are in Rebuilding Mode
By getting the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Storm could draft their next star player. Top prospect Paige Bueckers, should she choose to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft, should be high on their list if she isn’t the first pick.
The Seattle Storm roster also gains 6-foot-7 center Li Yueru, who brings size for a team that wasn’t the best on the defensive end last year. Yueru and Ezi Magbegor give the Storm a solid foundation in the frontcourt. Seattle now has five first-round picks over the next three drafts, which should give them ample opportunity to continue to build for the future.
