The biggest trade of the WNBA offseason was agreed to on Sunday, with Jewell Loyd going to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks and center Li Yueru plus the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft headed to the Storm.
The three-team trade also included several other draft assets acquired by each team. At first glance, it would appear as if the Sparks and Aces came up winners. The Storm, though, got the return with the most upside.
Loyd’s trade request in December could have put the Storm at a serious disadvantage in making a deal. Since she made it clear that her desired destination was the Aces, some of the leverage Storm general manager Talisa Rhea and associate general manager Pokey Chatman had was diminished.
In all respects, the Storm didn’t need to do right by Loyd. The WNBA is a business and they could have executed a trade that ignored her desires and catered solely to the best return. Instead, they got Loyd to her desired destination while meeting their needs.
Early in trade discussions, the Storm were offered a package that did not include the No. 2 overall pick, according to multiple league sources. The Sparks were trying their best to retain the pick and get Plum. That was originally one of the reasons the deal was being held up. The Storm also tried to get 2024 All-Rookie team member Rickea Jackson included in the package.
Dealing Jackson was a nonstarter for the Sparks, but the Storm holding firm on their demands for the No. 2 pick to be included could end up helping them win this trade in the long run.
There is uncertainty regarding who will be available at No. 2 in this year’s draft. Paige Bueckers technically could end up returning to UConn for her final year of eligibility.
If Bueckers refuses to play for the Wings, they could end up dealing the No. 1 pick for a lofty price tag. The Storm then would be in a position to make a substantial offer to trade up one place in the draft. Adding Bueckers to a team that includes Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor and is expected to re-sign Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike not only keeps them in title contentionbut also helps the avoid any lengthy rebuild.
The Sparks had no solid path toward trading up in the draft for Bueckers. Getting Plum essentially gives them a No. 1 overall pick in her prime and could speed up their return to championship contention if they make the right moves in 2026.
As long as three-time MVP A’ja Wilson is around, the Aces owe it to her to do everything to maintain their status as a title contender. Acquiring Loyd helps them keep that window open, but there are questions about the fit. With Wilson, Loyd, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young all in the fold, they will need to figure out a hierarchy and roles. Last season, Loyd had the worst efficiency of her career, which could be attributed to fit with new Storm teammates Diggins-Smith and Ogwumike. In Las Vegas, Loyd will not be the first option, which likely had to be communicated up front. Based on what she accomplished with former championship teammates Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, this fit could pay dividends for both sides.
