After days of speculation, Kelsey Plum now joins a Phoenix Mercury backcourt that has won gold together, now tasked with making the playoffs in 14 games. Plum reunites with fellow Team USA Olympians Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas. Plum made an honest admission about her mindset coming into the Mercury during her introductory press conference.
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“I think for me, just having a level of humility coming in and saying ‘Hey, what do you need from me?’ They’re great players, and they’ve played with great players, so just trying to learn fast, and not make the same mistake twice.”
Plum was traded to the Phoenix Mercury as Monique Akoa Makani heads to LA, along with a couple of draft picks. Before this, Plum had not played for the Sparks for six weeks, having sustained a lower leg injury on June 21. However, before being sidelined, Plum was putting up career-high numbers across the board, averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game this season.
Phoenix’s pursuit was inevitable: GM Nick U’Ren has coveted Plum for years, and her 23.9 PPG made the case irresistible. Phoenix could use that fresh injection of talent to boost their playoff chances. U’Ren spoke about his rationale per Arizona Sports.
“Kelsey is one of the most impactful players in the league. We’ve coveted her for a long time … we hope we’re building something that she’s a part of for a long time.”
Plum flew to Chicago on a late flight to join her new teammates, some of whom are obviously very excited for her arrival. Kahleah Copper, Plum’s Olympic teammate, expressed her thrill as per Chicago State of Mind Sports on X.
“I was super hyped. I played with her as a competitor and won a couple of gold medals with her. I know the kind of competitor she is. I know what she’ll bring to the team as far as adding to our culture, and I’m just super grateful”.
The trade was easy. Keeping Kelsey Plum is the hard part.
Phoenix wants Kelsey Plum to stay beyond this season
GM Nick U’Ren has made it clear that this signing is not just a short-term fluke for the Phoenix front office. He made his rationale for retaining Plum apparent, according to a report by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
“The chance to get Kelsey into our four walls and have her feel what we’re all about, have her feel our staff, our players, our organizational dynamic was really important to us.”
But this Plum trade has come with its own risks for the Mercury. Plum’s contract is up at the end of the season, and then she becomes an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any other team.
The Mercury have given a promising young player in Akoa Makani and future picks for the soon-to-be 32-year-old Plum.
But Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts has spoken on his intent to keep Plum here for more than just the current playoff stretch, per Mercury beat reporter Dylan Kane.
“We want to make this a place that KP wants to be for a while. This isn’t just a 14 or 15 game rental in our mind. This is something that we want to build upon, and she can get in our building and get around our players and organization.”
14 games is not a lot of time, but that’s exactly how long the Phoenix have to convince Plum to sign a contract extension. However, it’s a good thing for them that Plum has kept an open mind about her future, per her introductory presser.
“As far as long-term goes, I don’t want to sound cliché, but I’m where my feet are. Last night I was in Portland, and now it’s here. But that’s why I’m a professional. I’m paid to play basketball at the highest level, and that’s what I’m going to do tonight.”
Mercury are 11-19 for the season, and for them to convince Plum to stay, they will need to make the playoffs this year. And they might just have the backcourt for it, in Plum and Copper.
Only time will tell how the Phoenix chapter for Kelsey Plum turns out.